Publication Abstracts

Knobelspiesse et al. 2012

Knobelspiesse, K., B. Cairns, M. Mishchenko, J. Chowdhary, K. Tsigaridis, B. van Diedenhoven, W. Martin, M. Ottaviani, and M. Alexandrov, 2012: Analysis of fine-mode aerosol retrieval capabilities by different passive remote sensing instrument designs. Opt. Express, 20, 21457-21484, doi:10.1364/OE.20.021457.

Remote sensing of aerosol optical properties is difficult, but multi-angle, multi-spectral, polarimetric instruments have the potential to retrieve sufficient information about aerosols that they can be used to improve global climate models. However, the complexity of these instruments means that it is difficult to intuitively understand the relationship between instrument design and retrieval success. We apply a Bayesian statistical technique that relates instrument characteristics to the information contained in an observation. Using realistic simulations of fine size mode dominated spherical aerosols, we investigate three instrument designs. Two of these represent instruments currently in orbit: the Multiangle Imaging SpectroRadiometer (MISR) and the POLarization and Directionality of the Earths Reflectances (POLDER). The third is the Aerosol Polarimetry Sensor (APS), which failed to reach orbit during recent launch, but represents a viable design for future instruments. The results show fundamental differences between the three, and offer suggestions for future instrument design and the optimal retrieval strategy for current instruments. Generally, our results agree with previous validation efforts of POLDER and airborne prototypes of APS, but show that the MISR aerosol optical thickness uncertainty characterization is possibly underestimated.

Export citation: [ BibTeX ] [ RIS ]

BibTeX Citation

@article{kn00200p,
  author={Knobelspiesse, K. and Cairns, B. and Mishchenko, M. and Chowdhary, J. and Tsigaridis, K. and van Diedenhoven, B. and Martin, W. and Ottaviani, M. and Alexandrov, M.},
  title={Analysis of fine-mode aerosol retrieval capabilities by different passive remote sensing instrument designs},
  year={2012},
  journal={Optics Express},
  volume={20},
  pages={21457--21484},
  doi={10.1364/OE.20.021457},
}

[ Close ]

RIS Citation

TY  - JOUR
ID  - kn00200p
AU  - Knobelspiesse, K.
AU  - Cairns, B.
AU  - Mishchenko, M.
AU  - Chowdhary, J.
AU  - Tsigaridis, K.
AU  - van Diedenhoven, B.
AU  - Martin, W.
AU  - Ottaviani, M.
AU  - Alexandrov, M.
PY  - 2012
TI  - Analysis of fine-mode aerosol retrieval capabilities by different passive remote sensing instrument designs
JA  - Opt. Express
JO  - Optics Express
VL  - 20
SP  - 21457
EP  - 21484
DO  - 10.1364/OE.20.021457
ER  -

[ Close ]

• Return to 2012 Publications

• Return to Publications Homepage