Method for reconstructing atmospheric optical parameters from the data of polarization lidar sensing

Area of Science:

• Atmospheric Optics
• Remote Sensing
• Lidar Technology

Background:

• Polarization lidar sensing requires scattering phase matrix information for data inversion.
• Multiple scattering complicates the interpretation of lidar signals.
• Understanding Stokes vector parameters is crucial for various propagation media.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate Stokes vector parameters for media with range-varying scattering phase matrices.
• To develop a simplified parameterization for multiple scattering in spaceborne lidar sensing.
• To propose an algorithm for simultaneous reconstruction of atmospheric profiles.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of Stokes vectors and scattering phase matrices.
• Application of a simplified multiple-scattering parameterization for spaceborne lidar.
• Development and testing of a simultaneous profile reconstruction algorithm.
• Validation using Monte Carlo simulations and experimental data.

Main Results:

• A simple parameterization of multiple scattering is effective in spaceborne lidar.
• Polarization signal characteristics are primarily determined by lidar and depolarization ratios.
• Differences in angular dependences of matrix components are less critical.
• Simultaneous reconstruction of backscattering, depolarization, and lidar ratios is feasible.

Conclusions:

• The proposed method simplifies polarization lidar data inversion in inhomogeneous media.
• Accurate atmospheric profiling is achievable by focusing on key polarization parameters.
• The algorithm is validated through both simulated and experimental lidar data.