Abstract

The use of the wavelength ratio as a value for the ratio of the total extinction coefficients at the Raman and Rayleigh wavelengths:¹ has been recently used in the Rayleigh LIDAR equation to determine temperatures or ozone concentrations in the stratosphere. The wavelength dependence of the total scattering coefficient could also be useful for the inversion of LIDAR data to get the particle distribution.² This work examines the dependence of the exponent c, referred to as the Power for the Total Extinction Coefficient Ratio (PTECR), on the index of refraction of the medium, the modal radius of the particle distribution, and the width or shape of the particle distribution. These parameters are expected to be significantly different from the normal atmospheric parameters during volcanic conditions. A Mie code, developed by Dave³ and modified for use on a PC, served to theoretically examine this dependence.

© 1993 Optical Society of America