Transforming a depolarization lidar into a polarimetric LIDAR

Year: 2004

Authors: Del Guasta M., Vallar E., Riviere O., Castagnoli F., Venturi V., Morandi M.

Autors Affiliation: Ist. Fisica Applicata Nello Carrara, C.N.R, Florence, Italy; Physics Dept., De La Salle Univ., Manila, Philippines; Dépt. de Physique, Ecole Normale Supérieure, Paris, France

Abstract: The conversion of a simple modular depolarization LIDAR into a polarimetric LIDAR was discussed. The conversion was achieved by adding a PC-controlled phase retarder along the laser beam and three PC-controlled FerroElectric phase retarders just before polarization analyzer of the receiving section. Each cell acted as a ?/4 plate whose axis could be aligned or rotated 45° with respect to the analyzer. The modified system was suggested to be suitable for the unambiguous detection of oriented ice particles in frozen and mixed-phase clouds through an analysis of the Stokes vector received.

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KeyWords: Backscattering; Calibration; Clouds; Electromagnetic wave interference; Ice; Laser beams; Light polarization; Matrix algebra; Phase shift; Vectors, Depolarization; Phase retarders; Polarization analyzers, Optical radar
DOI: 10000000000