Four-component polarization measurement of lidar atmospheric scattering

Calibration by Air in Polarization Sensing

Scattered light polarization serves as an indicator and a characteristic of various processes in the atmosphere. The polarization measurements of all scattering matrix elements provide an adequate description of the optical and morphological parameters and orientation of particles in clouds. In this article, we consider the problem of the calibration of matrix polarization lidar (MPL) parameters. Calibration by air is an effective alternative to the technique for correcting optical element parameters and among the calibration parameters of the MPL optical path are the relative transmission coefficient of a two-channel receiver, the angular positions of the transmission axes of the optical elements of the transmitter and receiver units, including the polarizers and wave plates, and the retardance of wave plates. For the first time, the method of calibration by air was partially implemented in the MPL to study Asian dust in the atmosphere. We considered the calibration problem more generally and this was due to the need to calibrate different MPL modifications from stationary to mobile ones. The calibration equations have been derived in terms of instrumental vectors, and the method of their solution by the generalized least squares method has been proposed. The method has been verified on a numerical MPL model and validated using MPL measurements in Daejeon, Republic of Korea.

Effects of a nonideal half-wave plate on the gain ratio calibration measurements in polarization lidars

A half-wave plate (HWP) is a critical component for calibrating the gain ratio in polarization lidars. In this paper, the effects of a nonideal HWP on the gain ratio calibration measurements are analyzed. We focus on the ±45° method and the multi-rotation HWP method, which are the two main approaches for calibrating the gain ratio. Specifically, we discuss the influences of a nonideal HWP from two scenarios: an HWP with nonideal polarization properties and an ideal HWP under nonideal external conditions. The allowable ranges of relevant parameters for the nonideal polarization properties of HWPs are obtained, which can help to determine qualified HWPs in polarization lidars. Several external conditions, including ambient temperature variations, wavelength differences, and the tilt angles of HWPs, are also analyzed in detail. To the best of our knowledge, this paper represents the first comprehensive study on the effects of nonideal HWPs on the gain ratio calibration measurements, offering some guidelines on choosing a qualified HWP for proper use in polarization lidars.

General description of polarization in lidar using Stokes vectors and polar decomposition of Mueller matrices

Polarization measurements have become nearly indispensible in lidar cloud and aerosol studies. Despite polarization's widespread use in lidar, its theoretical description has been widely varying in accuracy and completeness. Incomplete polarization lidar descriptions invariably result in poor accountability for scatterer properties and instrument effects, reducing data accuracy and disallowing the intercomparison of polarization lidar data between different systems. We introduce here the Stokes vector lidar equation, which is a full description of polarization in lidar from laser output to detector. We then interpret this theoretical description in the context of forward polar decomposition of Mueller matrices where distinct polarization attributes of diattenuation, retardance, and depolarization are elucidated. This decomposition can be applied to scattering matrices, where volumes consisting of randomly oriented particles are strictly depolarizing, while oriented ice crystals can be diattenuating, retarding, and depolarizing. For instrument effects we provide a description of how different polarization attributes will impact lidar measurements. This includes coupling effects due to retarding and depolarization attributes of the receiver, which have no description in scalar representations of polarization lidar. We also describe how the effects of polarizance in the receiver can result in nonorthogonal polarization detection channels. This violates one of the most common assumptions in polarization lidar operation.

Channeled spectropolarimetry using a coherent white-light continuum

We carry out polarization measurements using a coherent white-light continuum as a light source for channeled spectropolarimetry. The white-light continuum, whose spectrum ranges from the UV to the IR region, is generated in Kr gas by a terawatt femtosecond laser system. The complete set of Stokes parameters from 450-700 nm are reconstructed from one spectral measurement. Also, the effectiveness of channeled spectropolarimetry using a coherent white-light continuum is experimentally demonstrated with a highly attenuating sample whose transmittance is as low as 10(-6).

Relation between circular and linear depolarization ratios under multiple-scattering conditions

A simple relationship is established between the linear and the circular depolarization ratios averaged over the azimuth angle of clouds made of spherical particles. The relationship is validated theoretically using double-scattering calculations; in the framework, the measurements are performed with a multiple-field-of-view lidar (MFOV) lidar. The relationship is also validated using data obtained with MFOV lidar equipped with linear and circular polarization measurement capabilities. The experimental data support theoretical results for small optical depths. At higher optical depths and large fields of view, the contribution of multiple scatterings is important; experimental data suggest that the relationship established between the linear and circular depolarization stays valid as long as the main depolarization mechanism comes from one scattering (most likely a backscattering a few degrees away from 180 degrees ).

Use of polarimetric lidar for the study of oriented ice plates in clouds

A polarization lidar operating at 532 nm was converted into an automatic, polarimetric lidar capable of measuring the entire Stokes vector of backscattered light and its derived quantities. Among these quantities, circular and linear depolarizations were studied as tools for investigating the presence of anisotropic scattering media. Isotropic scatterers show a simple relationship between linear and circular depolarization, a relation that we confirm theoretically and experimentally. Deviations from this relation, which are possible in the presence of anisotropic scatterers such as horizontally oriented ice plates when they are observed with a slant lidar, were studied both numerically and experimentally.

Detection of stratospheric sulfuric Acid aerosols with polarization lidar: theory, simulations, and observations

The derivation of backscatter ratio profiles from polarization lidar measurements is discussed. The method is based on differences in depolarization between molecular backscattering and backscattering from spherical aerosol particles. Simulations show that the polarization algorithms yield backscatter ratios with uncertainties comparable with those obtained by Klett's method, provided that the backscattering process is dominated by molecular scattering. The technique could be utilized for monitoring the stratospheric sulfuric acid aerosol layer during periods of background conditions. The polarization analysis method is discussed in light of simulation results and is applied to polarization lidar profiles observed during the ALBATROSS 1996 field measurement campaign.

Depolarization of polarized light caused by high altitude clouds. 2: Depolarization of lidar induced by water clouds

A model for calculation of the depolarization of a laser beam propagating through a water cloud is described, in which multiple scattering up to sixth order is included using a Monte Carlo technique. The influence of beam geometry, drop size distribution, and cloud extinction coefficient on the depolarization is discussed. Good agreement between calculated and measured profiles of the depolarization observed in water clouds has been obtained.

Polarization properties of lidar scattering from clouds at 347 nm and 694 nm

The polarization characteristics of lidar scattering from cumulus and low-lying shower clouds have been measured with a system operating at 694 nm (red) and 347 nm (blue). The backscatter profiles of the polarization components as well as of the total intensity of the return are presented and discussed for the two wavelengths. The linear depolarization ratio delta, which can be used as a measure of the unpolarized multiple scattering, has been obtained at both wavelengths. This quantity has a very low value at cloud base for both wavelengths and increases with pulse penetration. The blue registers generally higher values of a within the cloud. The measured total intensity backscatter functions for both wavelengths are presented and discussed in relation to theoretical calculations of cloud models.