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HSRL

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hsrl > High Spectral Resolution LidarInstrument Type(s) > Baseline • Guest

High-spectral-resolution lidar (HSRL) systems collect data about clouds and aerosols.

These systems provide vertical profiles of optical depth, backscatter cross-section, depolarization, and backscatter phase function. All HSRL measurements are absolutely calibrated by reference to molecular scattering, which is measured at each point in the lidar profile.

Like the Raman lidar, but unlike simple backscatter lidars such as the micropulse lidar, the HSRL can measure backscatter cross-sections and optical depths without prior assumptions about the scattering properties of the atmosphere. The depolarization observations also allow robust discrimination between ice and water clouds. In addition, rigorous error estimates can be computed for all measurements. A very narrow, angular field of view reduces multiple scattering contributions. The small field of view, coupled with a narrow optical bandwidth, nearly eliminates noise due to scattered sunlight.

ARM operates two HSRL systems, one at the Barrow, North Slope of Alaska (NSA) site and the other in the second ARM Mobile Facility (AMF2), which is deployed at various locations on field campaigns.

Measurements

Aerosol extinction
Backscatter depolarization ratio
Backscattered radiation

Locations

  • Fixed
  • AMF1
  • AMF2
  • AMF3

Active Instrument Locations

Facility Name Instrument Start Date
Gunnison, CO; AMF2 (main site for SAIL) 2021-09-01

2021

Theisen A, A Lindenmaier, J Mather, J Comstock, S Collis, and S Giangrande. 2021. ARM FY2021 Radar Plan. Ed. by Robert Stafford, ARM user facility. DOE/SC-ARM-TR-269.

Feldman D, A Aiken, W Boos, R Carroll, V Chandrasekar, W Collins, S Collis, J Deems, P DeMott, J Fan, A Flores, D Gochis, J Harrington, M Kumjian, LR Leung, T O'Brien, M Raleigh, A Rhoades, SM Skiles, J Smith, R Sullivan, P Ullrich, A Varble, and K Williams. 2021. Surface Atmosphere Integrated Field Laboratory (SAIL) Science Plan. Ed. by Robert Stafford, ARM user facility. DOE/SC-ARM-21-004.

Sedlar J, A Igel, and H Telg. 2021. "Processes contributing to cloud dissipation and formation events on the North Slope of Alaska." Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 21(5), 10.5194/acp-21-4149-2021.

Silber I, A Fridlind, J Verlinde, A Ackerman, G Cesana, and D Knopf. 2021. "The prevalence of precipitation from polar supercooled clouds." Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 21(5), 10.5194/acp-21-3949-2021.
Research Highlight

McErlich C, A McDonald, A Schuddeboom, and I Silber. 2021. "Comparing satellite- and ground–based observations of cloud occurrence over high southern latitudes." Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, 126(6), e2020JD033607, 10.1029/2020JD033607.

2020

Riihimaki L, C Flynn, A McComiskey, D Lubin, Y Blanchard, J Chiu, G Feingold, D Feldman, J Gristey, C Herrera, G Hodges, E Kassianov, S LeBlanc, A Marshak, J Michalsky, P Pilewskie, S Schmidt, R Scott, Y Shea, K Thome, R Wagener, and B Wielicki. 2020. "The Shortwave Spectral Radiometer for Atmospheric Science: Capabilities and Applications from the ARM User Facility." Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, 102(3), 10.1175/BAMS-D-19-0227.1.

Vivekanandan J, V Ghate, J Jensen, S Ellis, and M Schwartz. 2020. "A Technique for Estimating Liquid Droplet Diameter and Liquid Water Content in Stratocumulus Clouds Using Radar and Lidar Measurements." Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology, , 10.1175/JTECH-D-19-0092.1. ONLINE.

Dawson K, R Ferrare, R Moore, M Clayton, T Thorsen, and E Eloranta. 2020. "Ambient Aerosol Hygroscopic Growth From Combined Raman Lidar and HSRL." Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, 125(7), e2019JD031708, 10.1029/2019JD031708.

Dawson K, R Ferrare, R Moore, M Clayton, T Thorsen, and E Eloranta. 2020. "Ambient Aerosol Hygroscopic Growth From Combined Raman Lidar and HSRL." Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, 125(7), e2019JD031708, 10.1029/2019JD031708.

Sokolowsky G, E Clothiaux, C Baggett, S Lee, S Feldstein, E Eloranta, M Cadeddu, N Bharadwaj, and K Johnson. 2020. "Contributions to the Surface Downwelling Longwave Irradiance during Arctic Winter at Utqiaġvik (Barrow) Alaska." Journal of Climate, 33(11), 10.1175/JCLI-D-18-0876.1.

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