BACKSCAT Lidar Simulation Version 3.0: Technical Documentation and Users Guide
Abstract
The Geophysics Directorate of Phillips Laboratory is developing a number of lidar systems for use in probing the atmosphere. These systems include backscatter lidars to study atmospheric aerosols, Doppler lidar systems to measure wind fields, and Raman lidars to study the distributions of different molecular species. To aid in the design and use of such lidar systems, SPARTA has developed a lidar simulation program, BACKSCAT. Originally developed to include only the backscattered return from aerosols, the simulation package has evolved to include Raman scattering processes. BACKSCAT Version 3.0 includes two significant improvements. The first is the inclusion of user-defined aerosol layers and the second is the consideration of Raman scattering processes. In BACKSCAT Version 3.0, a user-defined aerosol layer is defined by a number density profile, a size distribution shape, and an index of refraction. Aerosol attenuation properties are computed using an efficient Mie scattering program that is coupled to the BACKSCAT simulation system. Users can select from a library of aerosol indices of refraction for common aerosols or they can input specific values.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 03, 1992
- Accession Number
- ADA267296
Entities
People
- David R. Longtin
- John R. Hummel
- Nanette L. Depiero
- Robert J. Grasso