Multiple scattering effects in clouds observed from LITE

C. Martin R. Platt; David M. Winker

doi:10.1117/12.228498

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15 December 1995 Multiple scattering effects in clouds observed from LITE

C. Martin R. Platt, David M. Winker

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Proceedings Volume 2580, Optics in Atmospheric Propagation and Adaptive Systems; (1995) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.228498
Event: Satellite Remote Sensing II, 1995, Paris, France

Abstract

The effects of multiple scattering in the lidar returns from clouds have been shown to be appreciable in ground-based systems, both from experiment and from theoretical simulations. The effects are predicted to be greater for space lidar because of the greatly increased ranges. These effects have been shown from simulations to increase cloud pulse penetration dramatically and to exhibit measurable pulse stretching in the lower boundary layer clouds of high optical depth. The lidar returns from clouds in the recent Lidar Inspace Technology Experiment (LITE) displayed all the characteristics predicted from simulations. First, considerable increases in effective pulse penetrations through high clouds, as well as middle- level and low clouds were observed; second, pulse stretching in low and middle-level water clouds was readily observable; third, the introduction of an annular aperture, that blocked off single-scattered radiation, into the field aperture of the lidar receiver telescope demonstrated unambiguously the presence of multiple-scattered returns from boundary-layer clouds. However, returns from high cirrus clouds were not observable through the annular aperture, presumably due to the lower optical depth and much larger particles in these clouds.

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C. Martin R. Platt and David M. Winker "Multiple scattering effects in clouds observed from LITE", Proc. SPIE 2580, Optics in Atmospheric Propagation and Adaptive Systems, (15 December 1995); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.228498

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