Articles | Volume 19, issue 15
https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-19-5193-2026
https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-19-5193-2026
Research article
 | 
10 Aug 2026
Research article |  | 10 Aug 2026

Experimental determination of the lidar ratio for cirrus and polar stratospheric clouds at Dome C, Antarctica, using a Young inversion

Francesco Cairo, Luca Di Liberto, Alessandro Bracci, and Marcel Snels

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Cited articles

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Ansmann, A., Wandinger, U., Riebesell, M., Weitkamp, C., and Michaelis, W.: Independent measurement of extinction and backscatter profiles in cirrus clouds using a combined Raman elastic-backscatter lidar, Appl. Opt., 31, 7113–7131, https://doi.org/10.1364/AO.31.007113, 1992. a, b
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Short summary
Using three years of laser observations above Dome C, Antarctica, we examined high clouds made of liquid droplets, nitric-acid particles, and ice crystals. We found clear differences in how these clouds scatter light, while ice-rich clouds were the most variable because they are often layered or mixed. The results provide more realistic inputs for satellite checks and climate calculations, improving estimates of how polar clouds affect sunlight, heat, and ozone loss.
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