Comparison of various linear depolarization parameters measured by lidar

Area of Science:

• Atmospheric optics
• Remote sensing

Background:

• Lidar measurements are crucial for detecting nonspherical aerosol particles.
• Estimating aerosol shape and density relies on analyzing changes in signal polarization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a computational tool for interpreting polarization changes caused by aerosol backscatter.
• To analyze various techniques for calculating linear depolarization from lidar data.

Main Methods:

• Overview of techniques for calculating linear depolarization from two-channel lidar measurements.
• Analysis of advantages and disadvantages of each method for lidar vertical profiles.
• Discussion of systematic errors, including cross-talk in polarization channels.

Main Results:

• Systematic errors and their impact on depolarization estimation are detailed.
• The effect of cross-talk on depolarization accuracy is quantified.
• Total uncertainty in depolarization definitions is retrieved under varying contamination levels.

Conclusions:

• Accurate calculation and interpretation of lidar depolarization are essential for aerosol characterization.
• Understanding systematic errors, like cross-talk, is critical for reliable lidar data analysis.
• The developed tool aids in the precise estimation of aerosol properties using lidar polarization measurements.