Retrieval of multi-wavelength aerosol lidar ratio profiles using Raman scattering and Mie backscattering signals

We advance a novel retrieval technique that combines a Raman and multi-wavelength elastic back-scattered signals to retrieve multi-wavelength lidar ratio profiles of aerosol. With profile of backscatter coefficients at 355 nm retrieved from elastic backscatter signal at 355 nm and Raman scattering signal at 387 nm, lidar ratio profiles can be calculated at 532 nm and 1064 nm from the elastic backscatter signals at these wavelengths, taking advantage that the 532 nm/355 nm and 1064 nm/355 nm backscatter ratios are generally approximately equal for two neighboring range bins. This technique has been tested using numerical simulations and applied to lidar measurements at the Hampton University, Hampton, Virginia. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.