Remote Sounding of Atmospheric Temperature Profiles Using the Differential Inversion Method
Abstract
The differential inversion method (DIM) is presented in the context of the fundamental principles governing the transfer of radiation for plane- parallel atmospheres in local thermodynamic equilibrium. In the Laplace inverse plane, the Planck intensity is linearly related to upwelling radiances weighted by the weighting function. By applying the inverse transform, the local Planck intensity can be exactly expressed by a linear combination of the derivatives of upwelling radiances in the logarithmic pressure coordinate. Using seven HIRS channels, numerical analyses of the DIM for temperature retrievals are carried out. Results based on distinct U.S. standard and tropical profiles show that the DIM converges to the true temperature solution with an accuracy of 102 K for tropospheric temperatures using a fifth-order polynomial function to fit seven HIRS radiances. The DIM appears to be an efficient and powerful retrieval method for temperatures. It is free from the need for a priori data basing and requires no constraints in the retrieval. Finally, it is pointed out that the key to the success of the DIM for practical applications appears to depend on whether an appropriate curve-fitting program can be developed for observed radiances. Keywords: Radiative transfer; Remote sensing.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 15, 1988
- Accession Number
- ADA199896
Entities
People
- Kuo-nan Liou
- Szu-cheng S. Ou
Organizations
- University of Utah