An Algorithm for Lidar Mapping of Aerosol Concentrations in a Varying Atmospheric Background Density

Abstract

An algorithm for the determination of the number density profiles of a specific aerosol as a function of time and space is developed and discussed. The algorithm is applicable to atmospheric conditions in which a varying density particulate background contributes to the lidar backscatter a significant or even a major part of the total amount of the mattered light. The method is based on a priori knowledge of the dependence of the background aerosol mass backscatering coefficients on the varying lidar parameters (wavelength, polarization, scattering angle). The sensitivity of the method is also discussed. The theoretical approach is expanded to cases where the aerosol is mixed in two or more different backgrounds.