A method to retrieve super-thin cloud optical depth over ocean background with polarized sunlight
In this work, an algorithm that uses the polarization angle of the backscattered solar radiation to detect clouds with optical depth (OD) < ~ 0.3 is further developed. We find that at viewing angles within ± ∼ 8° around the backscattering direction, the <i>p</i>-polarized inte...
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Copernicus Publications
2015-10-01
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| Series: | Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics |
| Online Access: | http://www.atmos-chem-phys.net/15/11909/2015/acp-15-11909-2015.pdf |
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doaj-559f508de6c0411a94096a0e897564982020-11-24T22:36:28ZengCopernicus PublicationsAtmospheric Chemistry and Physics1680-73161680-73242015-10-011520119091191810.5194/acp-15-11909-2015A method to retrieve super-thin cloud optical depth over ocean background with polarized sunlightW. Sun0R. R. Baize1G. Videen2Y. Hu3Q. Fu4Science Systems and Applications Inc., Hampton, VA 23666, USAScience Division, NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA 23681, USASpace Science Institute, Boulder, CO 80301, USAScience Division, NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA 23681, USADepartment of Atmospheric Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USAIn this work, an algorithm that uses the polarization angle of the backscattered solar radiation to detect clouds with optical depth (OD) < ~ 0.3 is further developed. We find that at viewing angles within ± ∼ 8° around the backscattering direction, the <i>p</i>-polarized intensity that is parallel to the meridian plane of reflected light from the surface is sensitive to, and nearly linearly related to, the optical depth of super-thin clouds. Moreover, our sensitivity study suggests that the <i>p</i>-polarized intensity at these viewing angles is not sensitive to the ocean surface conditions. Using this property of <i>p</i>-polarized intensity, super-thin clouds' optical depth can be retrieved.http://www.atmos-chem-phys.net/15/11909/2015/acp-15-11909-2015.pdf |
| collection |
DOAJ |
| language |
English |
| format |
Article |
| sources |
DOAJ |
| author |
W. Sun R. R. Baize G. Videen Y. Hu Q. Fu |
| spellingShingle |
W. Sun R. R. Baize G. Videen Y. Hu Q. Fu A method to retrieve super-thin cloud optical depth over ocean background with polarized sunlight Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics |
| author_facet |
W. Sun R. R. Baize G. Videen Y. Hu Q. Fu |
| author_sort |
W. Sun |
| title |
A method to retrieve super-thin cloud optical depth over ocean background with polarized sunlight |
| title_short |
A method to retrieve super-thin cloud optical depth over ocean background with polarized sunlight |
| title_full |
A method to retrieve super-thin cloud optical depth over ocean background with polarized sunlight |
| title_fullStr |
A method to retrieve super-thin cloud optical depth over ocean background with polarized sunlight |
| title_full_unstemmed |
A method to retrieve super-thin cloud optical depth over ocean background with polarized sunlight |
| title_sort |
method to retrieve super-thin cloud optical depth over ocean background with polarized sunlight |
| publisher |
Copernicus Publications |
| series |
Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics |
| issn |
1680-7316 1680-7324 |
| publishDate |
2015-10-01 |
| description |
In this work, an algorithm that uses the polarization angle of the
backscattered solar radiation to detect clouds with optical depth (OD)
< ~ 0.3 is further developed. We find that at viewing
angles within ± ∼ 8° around the backscattering
direction, the <i>p</i>-polarized intensity that is parallel to the meridian plane
of reflected light from the surface is sensitive to, and nearly linearly related
to, the optical depth of super-thin clouds. Moreover, our sensitivity study
suggests that the <i>p</i>-polarized intensity at these viewing angles is not
sensitive to the ocean surface conditions. Using this property of
<i>p</i>-polarized intensity, super-thin clouds' optical depth can be retrieved. |
| url |
http://www.atmos-chem-phys.net/15/11909/2015/acp-15-11909-2015.pdf |
| work_keys_str_mv |
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| _version_ |
1725720151132733440 |