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Lidar probing of the atmosphere: Some quantitative aspectsLidar uses laser energy in radar fashion to observe atmospheric backscattering as a function of range. Because of the short optical and near-optical wavelengths used, very small particles and even the gaseous molecules cause significant scattering. This can complicate the evaluation of the observations by introducing attenuation along the path as a second unknown into the lidar equation. In many cases, however, the observations may be interpreted directly on a qualitative basis and show the distribution of particulate matter in clear air or enable the dimensions of visible cloud to be measured accurately. In other cases, particularly where additional data are available, quantitative solutions can provide useful information on remote targets such as tenuous smoke clouds or haze layers. Examples of such observations are given, illustrating the computational approach to the evaluation of the volume concentration of natural dust and haze layers in the lower atmosphere and the mass concentration of a smoke plume. In both cases lidar data are related to independently obtained data on the particulate concentrations involved.
Document ID
19730002868
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Collis, R. T. H.
(Stanford Research Inst. CA, United States)
Uthe, E. E.
(Stanford Research Inst. CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 7, 2013
Publication Date
August 1, 1972
Publication Information
Publication: NASA. Ames Res. Center Math. of Profile Inversion
Subject Category
Masers
Accession Number
73N11595
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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