Optical backscatter measurement of cloud particulates

Author

Dixit, Rahul ; Zheng, Weiye ; Hatfield, A. ; Gerardi, J. ; Hickman, Granger ; Doak, W. ; Chiarot, P. ; Klotzkin, David

Author_Institution

Innovative Dynamics Inc., Ithaca, NY, USA

fYear

2013

fDate

3-6 Nov. 2013

Firstpage

1

Lastpage

4

Abstract

Optical backscatter measurements of cloud particulates provide a means to make important in-situ observations of the atmosphere. These observations are vital for ascertaining if airspace is safe for commercial air traffic and for understanding global climate challenges. In this work, a new detection and measurement system based on optical backscattering with a backscattering angle of 135-150° is demonstrated. From the polarization ratio and backscatter signal magnitude at various angles and different wavelengths, the mean particle size and their number density as well as type of particle can be evaluated. Measurements on water particle density and size are reported, and the extension to silica particle measurements is discussed.

Keywords

air traffic; atmospheric optics; backscatter; clouds; density measurement; light polarisation; measurement systems; optical variables measurement; particle size measurement; silicon compounds; water; airspace; atmosphere; backscatter signal magnitude; backscattering angle; cloud particulate; commercial air traffic; detection system; global climate; in-situ observation; measurement system; number density; optical backscatter measurement; particle type evaluation; polarization ratio; silica particle measurement; water particle density measurement; water particle size measurement; Atmospheric measurements; Backscatter; Measurement by laser beam; Optical variables measurement; Particle measurements; Silicon compounds; Size measurement;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

SENSORS, 2013 IEEE

Conference_Location

Baltimore, MD

ISSN

1930-0395

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/ICSENS.2013.6688171

Filename

6688171