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Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Scattering And Absorption of Light in Planetary Regoliths
Published on: July 1, 2019
Polarization properties of lidar backscattering from clouds.
Cloud lidar measurements reveal significant depolarization, indicating multiple scattering contributions. Polarization signatures show promise for classifying different cloud types.
Area of Science:
- Atmospheric optics
- Remote sensing
Background:
- Lidar technology enables atmospheric studies.
- Cloud properties influence climate and weather.
- Polarization of scattered light contains information about the scattering medium.
Purpose of the Study:
- To measure polarization properties of lidar backscatter from clouds.
- To investigate the relationship between depolarization and cloud characteristics.
- To assess the utility of polarization signatures for cloud classification.
Main Methods:
- Transmitted a linearly polarized ruby laser pulse (694.3 nm).
- Measured backscattered light using a three-channel receiver.
- Analyzed polarization components parallel, perpendicular, and at 45 degrees to the transmitted signal.
Main Results:
- Observed substantial depolarization ratios (up to 0.5).
- Deduced the contribution of multiple scattering from spatial variations in depolarization.
- Found wide variations in polarization properties across different cloud types.
Conclusions:
- Lidar depolarization measurements provide insights into cloud structure.
- Multiple scattering significantly impacts cloud lidar signals.
- Polarization signatures are valuable for cloud characterization and classification.
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