Correction technology of a polarization lidar with a complex optical system

Area of Science:

• Atmospheric Optics
• Remote Sensing Technology
• Polarization Metrology

Background:

• Polarization lidars are susceptible to systematic errors in depolarization estimates due to complex optical systems.
• Retardation, depolarization, and misalignment within the lidar system interact, preventing traditional calibration methods.
• These effects significantly impact the accuracy of polarization lidar measurements.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a novel correction method for systematic polarization biases in lidar data.
• To derive an accurate expression for the aerosol depolarization parameter accounting for system polarization effects.
• To improve the reliability and accuracy of polarization lidar measurements.

Main Methods:

• Detailed analysis of polarization effects from emitter to receiver.
• Calculation of Mueller matrices for the optical system components.
• Derivation of an aerosol depolarization parameter expression including system effects.
• Development and application of a Mueller matrix-based correction algorithm.
• Experimental measurement of optical component polarization characteristics using an ellipsometer.

Main Results:

• A correction algorithm based on Mueller matrices was developed and implemented.
• The Mueller matrix of the lidar receiver was calculated.
• Application of the correction algorithm to field data demonstrated significant removal of systematic polarization effects.
• The derived expression accurately accounts for system polarization impacts on depolarization parameters.

Conclusions:

• The developed Mueller matrix-based correction method effectively removes systematic polarization biases in lidar measurements.
• This approach enhances the accuracy of aerosol depolarization estimations.
• The findings are crucial for reliable atmospheric research using polarization lidar technology.