Patent ID: 8502975
Filing Date: 2013-08-06
Classification: G01N,G01S,Y02A

Abstract:
1. A method of determining diameter of particles in a low concentration cloud or optical depth of a low concentration cloud comprising: measuring scattering of a low concentration cloud comprised of particles of interest using a multiple field of view light detection and ranging (MFOV lidar) system, calculating the double scattering cloud signal and the single scattering cloud signal from said measurement and normalizing the double scattering cloud signal and the single scattering cloud signal, thereby providing a normalized cloud signal; measuring scattering of a background region using a MFOV lidar system, calculating the double scattering background signal and the single scattering background signal from said measurement and normalizing the double scattering background signal and the single scattering background signal, thereby providing a normalized background signal; subtracting the normalized background signal from the normalized cloud signal, and using said subtracted signal to calculate encircled energy of the particles within the low concentration cloud and optical depth of the low concentration cloud; and determining the effective particle diameter from the maximum encircled energy of the particles.