Abstract

The conventional approach to solving the single-scattering lidar equation makes use of the assumption of a power law relation between backscatter and extinction with a fixed exponent and constant of proportionality. An alternative formulation is given herein which assumes the proportionality factor in the power law relationship is itself a function of range or extinction. The resulting lidar equation is solvable as before, and examples are given to show how even an approximate description of deviations from the power law form can yield an improved inversion solution for the extinction. A further generalization is given which includes the effects of a background of Rayleigh scatterers.

© 1985 Optical Society of America

Two-wavelength lidar inversion algorithm for a two-component atmosphere with variable extinction-to-backscatter ratios

Jörg Ackermann
Appl. Opt. 37(15) 3164-3171 (1998)

Sensitivity of a lidar inversion algorithm to parameters relating atmospheric backscatter and extinction

Herbert G. Hughes, Jerry A. Ferguson, and Donald H. Stephens
Appl. Opt. 24(11) 1609-1613 (1985)

Lidar inversion of atmospheric backscatter and extinction-to-backscatter ratios by use of a Kalman filter

Francesc Rocadenbosch, Cecilia Soriano, Adolfo Comerón, and José-María Baldasano
Appl. Opt. 38(15) 3175-3189 (1999)

Error caused by using a constant extinction/backscattering ratio in the lidar solution

Yasuhiro Sasano, Edward V. Browell, and Syed Ismail
Appl. Opt. 24(22) 3929-3932 (1985)

Lidar inversion with variable backscatter/extinction ratios: comment

Martina Kaestner
Appl. Opt. 25(6) 833-835 (1986)