This preprint was under review for the journal AMT. A revision for further review has not been submitted.
Experimental assessment of the lidar polarizing sensitivity
L. Belegante1,J. A. Bravo-Aranda2,3,V. Freudenthaler4,D. Nicolae1,A. Nemuc1,L. Alados-Arboledas2,3,A. Amodeo5,G. Pappalardo5,G. D’Amico5,R. Engelmann6,H. Baars6,U. Wandinger6,A. Papayannis7,P. Kokkalis7,and S. N. Pereira8L. Belegante et al. L. Belegante1,J. A. Bravo-Aranda2,3,V. Freudenthaler4,D. Nicolae1,A. Nemuc1,L. Alados-Arboledas2,3,A. Amodeo5,G. Pappalardo5,G. D’Amico5,R. Engelmann6,H. Baars6,U. Wandinger6,A. Papayannis7,P. Kokkalis7,and S. N. Pereira8
1National Institute of Research and Development for Optoelectronics, 409 Atomistilor Str, Magurele, Romania
2Andalusian Institute for Earth System Research, Granada, Spain
3Department of Applied Physcis, Unversity of Granada, Granada, Spain
4Meteorological Institute, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitat, Theresienstr. 37, 80333 Munich, Germany
5Istituto di Metodologie per l’Analisi Ambientale CNR-IMAA, C.da S. Loja, Tito Scalo, Potenza 85050, Italy
6Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research, Permoserstr. 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
7National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), Physics Department, Heroon Polytechniou 9, 15780 Zografou, Athens, Greece
8Evora Geophysics Center, Rua Romao Ramalho 59, 7000, Evora, Portugal
1National Institute of Research and Development for Optoelectronics, 409 Atomistilor Str, Magurele, Romania
2Andalusian Institute for Earth System Research, Granada, Spain
3Department of Applied Physcis, Unversity of Granada, Granada, Spain
4Meteorological Institute, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitat, Theresienstr. 37, 80333 Munich, Germany
5Istituto di Metodologie per l’Analisi Ambientale CNR-IMAA, C.da S. Loja, Tito Scalo, Potenza 85050, Italy
6Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research, Permoserstr. 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
7National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), Physics Department, Heroon Polytechniou 9, 15780 Zografou, Athens, Greece
8Evora Geophysics Center, Rua Romao Ramalho 59, 7000, Evora, Portugal
Received: 04 Nov 2015 – Accepted for review: 21 Nov 2015 – Discussion started: 02 Feb 2016
Abstract. Particle depolarization ratio retrieved from lidar measurements are commonly used for aerosol typing studies, microphysical inversion, or mass concentration retrievals. The particle depolarization ratio is one of the primary parameters that can differentiate several major aerosol components, but only if the measurements are accurate enough. The uncertainties related to the retrieval of particle depolarization ratios are the main factor in determining the accuracy of the derived parameters in such studies. This paper presents an extended analysis of different depolarization calibration procedures, in order to reduce the related uncertainties. The calibration procedures are specific to each lidar system of the European Aerosol Research Lidar Network – EARLINET with polarising capabilities. The results illustrate a significant improvement of the depolarization lidar products for all the selected lidar stations. The calibrated volume and particle depolarization profiles at 532 nm show values that agree with the theory for all selected atmospheric constituents (several aerosol species, ice particles and molecules in the aerosol free regions).
This study aims to present techniques developed to calibrate the lidar depolarization channels.
The experimental approach of the paper is designed to present how calibration procedures are implemented. Most of the literature is focused on the theoretical perspective of the topic and practical issues usually remain an open topic. A hands on approach for the assessment of the lidar polarization sensitivity is welcomed since most of these techniques require comprehensive practical description.
This study aims to present techniques developed to calibrate the lidar depolarization channels....
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