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Lidar signature from bubbles in the sea
1Earth System Research Laboratory, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 325 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80305, USA. james.h.churnside@noaa.gov
Optics Express
|July 1, 2010
Summary
Lidar backscatter from bubbles is proportional to their void fraction in water. This relationship varies with bubble coating, impacting light scattering measurements.
Area of Science:
- Ocean optics
- Atmospheric physics
- Fluid dynamics
Background:
- Light scattering by bubbles is crucial for remote sensing.
- Understanding bubble optical properties is key for interpreting lidar data.
- Bubble coatings can significantly alter optical signatures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish the relationship between lidar backscatter and bubble void fraction.
- To quantify the effect of bubble surface coatings on lidar signatures.
- To provide a basis for accurate remote sensing of bubbly flows.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a combination of geometric optics and diffraction theory.
- Calculated volume backscatter coefficient at 180 degrees scattering angle.
- Investigated clean, organically coated, and protein-coated bubbles.
Main Results:
- Lidar signature is directly proportional to the void fraction for any bubble size distribution.
- Proportionality constant is 233 m⁻¹ sr⁻¹ for clean bubbles.
- Constants range from slightly less for organic coatings to 1445 m⁻¹ sr⁻¹ for protein coatings.
Conclusions:
- Lidar measurements of bubble void fraction are feasible and reliable.
- Bubble coating significantly influences the lidar backscatter signal.
- Accurate characterization of bubble coatings is necessary for precise void fraction determination.
