UV polarization lidar for remote sensing new particles formation in the atmosphere

Grégory David, Benjamin Thomas, Yoan Dupart, Barbara Danna, Christian George, Alain Miffre, Patrick Rairoux

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

17 Scopus citations

Abstract

Understanding new particles formation in the free troposphere is key for air quality and climate change, but requires accurate observation tools. Here, we discuss on the optical requirements ensuring a backscattering device, such as a lidar, to remotely observe nucleation events promoted by nonspherical desert dust or volcanic ash particles. By applying the Mie theory and the T-matrix code, we numerically simulated the backscattering coefficient of spherical freshly nucleated particles and nonspherical particles. We hence showed that, to remotely observe such nucleation events with an elastic lidar device, it should operate in the UV spectral range and be polarization-resolved. Two atmospheric case studies are proposed, on nucleation events promoted by desert dust, or volcanic ash particles. This optical pathway might be useful for climate, geophysical and fundamental purposes, by providing a range-resolved remote observation of nucleation events.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)A1009-A1022
JournalOptics Express
Volume22
Issue numberSUPPL. 3
DOIs
StatePublished - 2014
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics

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