Identification of cloud phase from PICASSO-CENA lidar depolarization: a multiple scattering sensitivity study Conference Paper uri icon

abstract

  • A fast Monte Carlo simulation scheme is developed to assess the impact of multiple scattering on space-based lidar backscattering depolarization measurements. The specific application of our methodology is to determine cloud thermodynamic phase from satellite-based lidar depolarization measurements. Model results indicate that multiple scattering significantly depolarizes backscatter return from water clouds. Multiple scattering depolarization is less significant for non-spherical particles. There are sharp contrasts in the depolarization profile between a layer of spherical particles and a layer of non-spherical particles. Although it is not as obvious as ground-based lidar observations, it is likely that we can identify cloud phase not only for a uniform cloud layer, but also for overlapping cloud layers where one layer contains ice and the other water droplets. 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

published proceedings

  • JOURNAL OF QUANTITATIVE SPECTROSCOPY & RADIATIVE TRANSFER

author list (cited authors)

  • Hu, Y. X., Winker, D., Yang, P., Baum, B., Poole, L., & Vann, L.

citation count

  • 84

complete list of authors

  • Hu, YX||Winker, D||Yang, P||Baum, B||Poole, L||Vann, L

publication date

  • August 2001