Abstract

A basic lidar system performs light detection and ranging via Rayleigh scattering of atmospheric gas (mainly air) molecules and Mie scattering of suspended aerosol particles (including water droplets and ice crystals). As such, lidar can be used to determine the location and distribution of cloud layers, haze layers, smoke plumes, and inversion layers. Although the differential backscattering coefficient β_g and the extinction coefficient α_g of atmospheric gas molecules are known, a basic lidar does not have enough resolution to determine the volume differential backscattering coefficient β = β_g + β_p and the volume extinction coefficient α = β_g + α_p of the atmospheric aerosol (particles plus gas molecules) simultaneously.

© 1983 Optical Society of America