Multiply scattered aerosol lidar returns: inversion method and comparison with in situ measurements

Area of Science:

• Atmospheric Science
• Optical Remote Sensing

Background:

• Aerosol lidar inversion typically relies on single-scattering approximations.
• Accurate characterization of aerosol particles and cloud properties is crucial for climate modeling and atmospheric studies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a novel aerosol lidar inversion method incorporating multiple-scattering contributions.
• To validate the method's performance in retrieving cloud microphysical properties.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing a multiple-field-of-view receiver to measure multiple-scattering effects.
• Developing an inversion algorithm that estimates scattering coefficient and effective droplet diameter.
• Extending the method to derive full size distributions, extinction coefficients, and liquid water content.

Main Results:

• The method successfully retrieves profiles of scattering coefficient and effective cloud droplet diameter.
• Full droplet size distributions were estimated, enabling calculation of extinction coefficients across visible and infrared wavelengths.
• Comparisons with in situ data from field experiments showed good agreement for water clouds with optical depths from 0.1 to 4.

Conclusions:

• The proposed multiple-scattering lidar inversion method offers a robust approach for characterizing aerosol and cloud properties.
• The technique provides valuable data for understanding cloud microphysics and radiative transfer.
• This method enhances the capabilities of lidar remote sensing for atmospheric research.