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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 19 records
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NASA NTRS1992

Measurements of the backscattering phase matrices of crystal clouds with a polarization lidar

A polarization technique based on measurements of intensities of the polarized I(parallel) and crosspolarized I(perpendicular) components of scattered radiation is often used in lidar studies of aerosols. The ratio I(perp)/I(para) is related to nonsphericity of scattering particles and it is often called, though unjustified, depolarization. Correct definition of the term has previously been shown to be the value d = 1 - P, where P is the degree of polarization defined in terms of the Stokes parameters. In fact, measurements of I(para) and I(perp) enable one to determine the Stokes parameter Q = I(para) - I(perp), and under the condition U = V = 0 the depolarization is determined by the relationship d = 2 x I(perp)/(I(para) + I(perp)). In 1988 a new cycle of measuring the Stokes parameters of lidar returns from scattering media irradiated with a linearly polarized light was started. Based on the lidar data obtained during the 1988-1990 period, a classification of scattering ensembles was made which reveals five types of the scattering particle ensembles differing by a combination of the Stokes parameters. In the 1990-1991 period, a cycle of measurements of the lidar returns' Stokes parameters was carried out using sounding radiation.

Kaul, B. V.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Corona-producing cirrus cloud properties derived from polarization lidar and photographic analyses

Polarization lidar data are used to demonstrate that clouds composed of hexagonal ice crystals can generate multiple-ringed colored coronas. Although relatively uncommon in the mid-latitude cirrus sample, the coronas are associated with unusual cloud conditions that appear to be effective in generating the displays. Invariably, the cirrus cloud tops are located at or slightly above elevated tropopauses at temperatures between -60 and -70 C. The cloud top region also generates relatively strong laser backscattering and unusually high 0.5-0.7 linear depolarization ratios. Color photograph analysis of corona ring angles indicates crystals with mean diameters of from 12 to 30 microns. The cirrus cloud types were mainly subvisual to thin cirrostratus, but also included fibrous cirrus. Estimated cloud optical thicknesses at the 0.694-micron laser wavelength ranged from about 0.001 to 0.2, where the upper limit reflects the effects of multiple scattering and/or unfavorable changes in particle characteristics in deep cirrus clouds.

Sassen, Kenneth↗
NASA NTRS1991

The polarization lidar technique for cloud research - A review and current assessment

The development of the polarization lidar technique is reviewed, and the current capabilities and limitations of the technique for the cloud research are discussed. At present, polarization lidar is a key component of climate-research programs designed to characterize the properties of cirrus clouds and is an integral part of multiple remote-sensor studies of mixed-phase cloud systems such as winter mountain storms, making it possible to discriminate between cloud phases and to identify some particle types and orientations. Recent theoretical approaches involving ice crystal ray-tracing and cloud microphysical-model simulations are expected to increase the utility of the polarization lidar technique.

Sassen, Kenneth↗
NASA NTRS1992

Polarization Lidar Liquid Cloud Detection Algorithm for Winter Mountain Storms

We have collected an extensive polarization lidar dataset from elevated sites in the Tushar Mountains of Utah in support of winter storm cloud seeding research and experiments. Our truck-mounted ruby lidar collected zenith, dual-polarization lidar data through a roof window equipped with a wiper system to prevent snowfall accumulation. Lidar returns were collected at a rate of one shot every 1 to 5 min during declared storm periods over the 1985 and 1987 mid-Jan. to mid-Mar. Field seasons. The mid-barrier remote sensor field site was located at 2.57 km MSL. Of chief interest to weather modification efforts are the heights of supercooled liquid water (SLW) clouds, which must be known to assess their 'seedability' (i.e., temperature and height suitability for artificially increasing snowfall). We are currently re-examining out entire dataset to determine the climatological properties of SLW clouds in winter storms using an autonomous computer algorithm.

Sassen, Kenneth↗
NASA NTRS1983

The structure and phase of cloud tops as observed by polarization lidar

High-resolution observations of the structure of cloud tops have been obtained with polarization lidar operated from a high altitude aircraft. Case studies of measurements acquired from cumuliform cloud systems are presented, two from September 1979 observations in the area of Florida and adjacent waters and a third during the May 1981 CCOPE experiment in southeast Montana. Accurate cloud top height structure and relative density of hydrometers are obtained from the lidar return signal intensity. Correlation between the signal return intensity and active updrafts was noted. Thin cirrus overlying developing turrets was observed in some cases. Typical values of the observed backscatter cross section were 0.1-5 (km/sr) for cumulonimbus tops. The depolarization ratio of the lidar signals was a function of the thermodynamic phase of cloud top areas. An increase of the cloud top depolarization with decreasing temperature was found for temperatures above and below -40 C.

Spinhirne, J. D.↗
NASA NTRS2005

CRYSTAL-FACE Polarization Lidar Research

The University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) Polarization Diversity Lidar (PDL, Sassen 1994) participated in the July 2002 CRYSTAL-FACE field campaign, shortly after the PI moved from the University of Utah to UAF. The truck-mounted PDL is an advanced dual wavelength (1.06 and 0.532 micron), high resolution (0.1-s by 1.5-m), scanning lidar system designed as a testbed for evaluating laser backscatter depolarization techniques for the study of clouds and aerosols in the atmosphere. The main goals identified in our proposal for the CRYSTAL-FACE experiment were, i) the characterization of Florida thunderstorm anvil macrophysical and microphysical properties from lidar backscattering and depolarization, ii) the study of thin to subvisual tropopause-topped subtropical cirrus, iii) the search for indirect cloud effects of trans- Atlantic advected Saharan dust storm aerosols on clouds, and iv) the investigation of melting layer effects on lidar and multi-wavelength Doppler radar measurements in precipitation. Although we experienced adversity in the field during the campaign, sufficient data was collected to begin addressing these topics, and several conference presentations, three journal articles, and one book chapter have resulted from the data analysis effort supported by this grant. (PDL operations were delayed by FAA concerns over the initial sighting at the Kendall-Tamiami Airport, and a brief but major laser breakdown was experienced during the re- setup at the remote Ochopee Everglades site that also supported the N-POL radar.) All lidar data collected by the PDL system were processed and quality checked, and submitted to the CRYSTAL-FACE data archive in a timely manner.

Sassen, Kenneth↗
NASA NTRS1973

Use of Polarization Lidar for Investigation of Meteorological Formations

This paper presents the results of theoretical and experimental, investigations of depolarization characteristics of different meteorological formations. Experimental investigations are carried out with a monostatic lidar. The ruby laser radiation is polarized in a vertical plane. The radiation reflected is accepted by a lens system of 150 rom in diameter and a viewing angle of 12' and further it is divided by Wollaston prism into the components polarized orthogonally. In this case the principal plane of the prism is exposed parallel with the laser polarization plane. Investigations show the degree of radiation polarization, reflected from water clouds, to be changed within 1/0.7 (seldom up to 0.6) depending on their density. In most cases a signal reflected from the cloud leading edge is polarized completely. The time shift is observed between polarized and crosspolarized components of a Fignal, reflected from a cloud, depending on the density of a meteorological object. While penetrating into the cloud depth a degree of polarization decreases up to 0.8-0.7, and the character of this decrease is different for various types of clouds. For crystal clouds the shift between the components of the reflected signal is not observed and the magnitude of polarization degree amounts to 0.1/0.3 in comparison with water clouds. The polarization degree of radiation reflected by fog is not less than 0.6, and that in the rains of average intensity (about 5 mm/h) is always about 1. The authors have suggested an algorithm of numerical solution of nonstationary transfer equation in the vector form to forecast the influence of multiple scattering effects on polarization characteristics of the lidar light signal. The method of statistical simulation (Monte-Carlo technique) forms the basis of the algorithm. Numerical estimates obtained for a model of stratocumulus at lambda = 0.6943 microns under boundary conditions close to the conditions of natural experiment being discussed proved to be in a good agreement with the results of observation. Specifically, Fig. 1 shows the profiles of polarization (p) versus depth (L) of the following drop formations: fog (curve 1) with horizontal meteorological visibility of 4 km two stratocumulus at a height of 1100 m with the attenuation factors delta = 0.01m(exp -1) (curve 2) and delta = 0.05m(exp -1) (curve 3). Curve 3 shows the results of numerical estimates and the value of their statistical error.

Balin, Yu. S.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Dual-polarization airborne lidar observations of polar stratospheric cloud evolution

Dual-polarization 0.532 micron lidar data show systematic polar stratospheric cloud (PSC) evolution along a portion of the Airborne Arctic Stratospheric Expedition DC-8 flight of January 31, 1989. This flight leg was roughly aligned with air parcel motion on isentropic surfaces from 400-500 K, where the local adiabatic cooling rate was about 20 K/day. Type 1 PSCs show low depolarization ratios and scattering ratios which approach intermediate limiting values as ambient temperature decreases. These data suggest that Type 1 particles formed by rapid cooling may be nearly spherical and are restricted in size by partitioning of a limited HNO3 vapor supply among many competing growth sites. Type 2 PSCs appear at temperatures below estimated local frost points with increases in depolarization and scattering typical of larger ice crystals.

Poole, L. R.↗
NASA NTRS2006

Calibration Technique for Polarization-Sensitive Lidars

Polarization-sensitive lidars have proven to be highly effective in discriminating between spherical and non-spherical particles in the atmosphere. These lidars use a linearly polarized laser and are equipped with a receiver that can separately measure the components of the return signal polarized parallel and perpendicular to the outgoing beam. In this work we describe a technique for calibrating polarization-sensitive lidars that was originally developed at NASA s Langley Research Center (LaRC) and has been used continually over the past fifteen years. The procedure uses a rotatable half-wave plate inserted into the optical path of the lidar receiver to introduce controlled amounts of polarization cross-talk into a sequence of atmospheric backscatter measurements. Solving the resulting system of nonlinear equations generates the system calibration constants (gain ratio, G, and offset angle, theta) required for deriving calibrated measurements of depolarization ratio from the lidar signals. In addition, this procedure also determines the mean depolarization ratio within the region of the atmosphere that is analyzed. Simulations and error propagation studies show the method to be both reliable and well behaved. Operational details of the technique are illustrated using measurements obtained as part of Langley Research Center s participation in the First ISCCP Regional Experiment (FIRE).

Alvarez, J. M.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Preliminary analysis of observations of the Pinatubo volcanic plume with a polarization-sensitive lidar

A dual-polarization lidar aboard the NASA Electra aircraft was used in July 1991 to survey the stratospheric plume from the recent Mt. Pinatubo eruption. Both depolarizing and non-depolarizing volcanic layers were observed, ranging from 17 to 26 km in altitude. Differences in the depolarization signatures of the layers indicates differences in the composition or physical state of the particles in the layers.

Winker, D. M.↗
NASA NTRS2003

Remote Sensing of Aerosol Optical and Microphysical Properties using Polarization and Lidar Techniques

Tropospheric aerosols cause a substantial forcing of the terrestrial climate, but the magnitude of this forcing remains largely unknown. This explains the significant interest of the climate community to the prospect of measuring key aerosol properties from space using advanced remote sensing techniques. It has been known for a long time that polarization of the scattered light is much more sensitive to the aerosol microphysics than the scattered intensity. It is, therefore, not surprising that the most recent addition to the New Polar Orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) payload is the so-called Aerosol Polarimetry Sensor (APS). The main objective of this instrument is to measure the aerosol and cloud properties with accuracy and coverage sufficient for a reliable estimate of the direct and indirect aerosol forcings of climate. Accordingly, the first part of this lecture course will focus on describing the basic concept of the APS, the physical principles of polarization data analyses, and the results already obtained with an aircraft version of the APS. Polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs) represent another poorly understood aerosol component of the terrestrial atmosphere which affects the climate by supporting chemical reactions destroying the ozone layer. The high altitude of the PSCs and their predominant occurrence in high latitude and polar regions make it very difficult to study PSCs using conventional in situ techniques. Most of the information that we have about this type of clouds has been gathered using ground-based polarization lidars. The second part of the course will focus on explaining the physical principles of the polarization lidar technique and describing retrievals of PSC particle microphysical characteristics by converting I multispectral lidar measurements of the backscattered intensity and depolarization.

Mishchenko, Michael↗
NASA NTRS2001

Correlation Between Cirrus Particle Optical Properties: Microphysics and Implications for Spaceborne Remote Sensing

Cirrus measurements obtained with a ground-based polarization Raman lidar at 67.9 deg N in arctic winter reveal a strong correlation between the particle optical properties, specifically depolarization ratio and extinction-to-backscatter ratio, for ambient cloud temperatures above approximately -45 C, and an anti-correlation for colder temperatures. Similar correlations are evident in a 2-year midlatitude (53.4 deg N) cirrus data set. Scattering calculations show that the observed dependences can be interpreted in terms of the shapes and sizes of the cirrus ice particles. These findings suggest a retrieval method for determining cirrus extinction profiles from spaceborne lidar polarization data.

Reichardt, Jens↗
NASA NTRS2020

The Evolution of Lidar Networks: A US Perspective

Atmospheric aerosols and clouds play an important role in climate by directly scattering and absorbing sunlight. Aerosol-cloud interactions modify the particle properties causing indirect effects, alter aerosol deposition and rainfall, and contribute substantially to the uncertainties in predicting climate effects. Aerosols also affect air quality and both constituents modulate boundary layer dynamics to a certain extent, in turn impacting aerosol transport and aerosol-cloud interactions. The spatiotemporal distribution of aerosol and cloud layers is thus important, and lidar remains the primary instrument for determining the vertical distribution of aerosols and thin clouds. Lidar still provides important information for opaque cloud layers by determining base heights. Combined lidar and radar data provide a comprehensive coverage of aerosol and cloud vertical distributions, and thus locations where and when they interact. Lidar data provide a means of constraining column aerosol loading observations (e.g. AOD) to vertical extents. In addition, lidar has proven effective at determining a proxy for boundary layer height by examining aerosol gradients and/or cloud base heights in lidar profiles. Polarized lidars provide additional information on particle shape, allowing estimates of cloud phase and separation of dust or smoke from sulfate and sea salt aerosols. Given the importance of lidar observations and a critical maturation in technology and retrieval techniques, several organizations began to build operational lidar networks around 2000. The European Aerosol Research Lidar Network (EARLINET) was started as a research focused network of advanced lidars across Europe. The Asian Dust Lidar Network (ADNET) was also developed as a regional network providing lidar profiles of dust and pollution across Eastern Asia. In the US, the NASA Micro Pulse Lidar Network (MPLNET) was created to provide global lidar profiling at key sites in the NASA Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET). The Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change (NDACC) pre-dates these networks and many sites have lidar, but it is not strictly a lidar network and at the time focused less on the lower troposphere. Finally, there were already existing ceilometer networks operated by various meteorological agencies, but in particular here in the US the profile data has not been available. The ceilometer networks were used to provide only clouds base heights and estimates of PBL height. Thus, the distinguishing feature between lidar and ceilometer networks was historically the ability to actually provide profile information (in addition to differences in wavelength, and advanced retrievals such as the raman technique). As time progressed, each lidar network matured and developed more operational capabilities and data sets, coupled with viable data centers providing DAAC services and access to near-real-time (NRT) data. In 2008 under WMO guidance, the Global Atmospheric Watch (GAW) Aerosol Lidar Observation Network (GALION) was formed as a global network made up of the existing lidar networks. The goal was to share information, best practices, and develop frameworks and techniques for quality data. GALION grew to include several other regional lidar networks and this has led to a vast increase in quality lidar sites worldwide.

Welton, Ellsworth J.↗
NASA NTRS1996

Adaptation of the University of Wisconsin High Spectral Resolution Lidar for Polarization and Multiple Scattering Measurements

Quantitative lidar measurements of aerosol scattering are hampered by the need for calibrations and the problem of correcting observed backscatter profiles for the effects of attenuation. The University of Wisconsin High Spectral Resolution Lidar (HSRL) addresses these problems by separating molecular scattering contributions from the aerosol scattering; the molecular scattering is then used as a calibration target that is available at each point in the observed profiles. While the HSRl approach has intrinsic advantages over competing techniques, realization of these advantages requires implementation of a technically demanding system which is potentially very sensitive to changes in temperature and mechanical alignments. This paper describes a new implementation of the HSRL in an instrumented van which allows measurements during field experiments. The HSRL was modified to measure depolarization. In addition, both the signal amplitude and depolarization variations with receiver field of view are simultaneously measured. This allows for discrimination of ice clouds from water clouds and observation of multiple scattering contributions to the lidar return.

Eloranta, E. W.↗
NASA NTRS2004

The GLAS Polar Orbiting Lidar Experiment: First Year Results and Available Data

The first polar orbiting satellite lidar instrument, the Geoscience Laser Altimeter System (GLAS), was launched in 2003 and is approaching six months of data operations. As part of the NASA Earth Observing System (EOS) project, the GLAS instrument is intended as a laser sensor fulfilling complementary requirements for several earth science disciplines including atmospheric and surface applications on the Ice, Cloud and Land Elevation Satellite. In this paper we present examples of atmospheric measurement results and explain access to data for the international science community.

Spinhirne, James D.↗