A low-cost digital holographic imager for calibration and validation of cloud microphysics remote sensing

Thomas E. Chambers; Murray W. Hamilton; Iain M. Reid

doi:10.1117/12.2239590

19 October 2016 A low-cost digital holographic imager for calibration and validation of cloud microphysics remote sensing

Thomas E. Chambers, Murray W. Hamilton, Iain M. Reid

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 10001, Remote Sensing of Clouds and the Atmosphere XXI; 100010P (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2239590
Event: SPIE Remote Sensing, 2016, Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Abstract

Clouds cover approximately 70% of the Earth's surface and therefore play a crucial rule in governing both the climate system and the hydrological cycle. The microphysical properties of clouds such as the cloud particle size distribution, shape distribution and spatial homogeneity contribute significantly to the net radiative effect of clouds and these properties must therefore be measured and understood to determine the exact contribution of clouds to the climate system. Significant discrepancies are observed between meteorological models and observations, particularly in polar regions that are most sensitive to changes in climate, suggesting a lack of understanding of these complex microphysical processes. Remote sensing techniques such as polarimetric LIDAR and radar allow microphysical cloud measurements with high temporal and spatial resolution however these instruments must be calibrated and validated by direct in situ measurements. To this end a low cost, light weight holographic imaging device has been developed and experimentally tested that is suitable for deployment on a weather balloon or tower structure to significantly increase the availability of in situ microphysics retrievals.

Citation Download Citation

Thomas E. Chambers, Murray W. Hamilton, and Iain M. Reid "A low-cost digital holographic imager for calibration and validation of cloud microphysics remote sensing", Proc. SPIE 10001, Remote Sensing of Clouds and the Atmosphere XXI, 100010P (19 October 2016); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2239590

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