Scanning Raman Lidar Data during CAMEX3. & Tropospheric Water Vapor Mixing Ratio and Aerosol Scattering Ratio

Water vapor in the atmosphere is one of the most important parameters
involved in understanding atmospheric radiation, stability, cloud
formation and precipitation. Water vapor is also one of the most
important greenhouse gases that should be understood in understanding
the behavior the earth's atmosphere in several global warming
conditions.

Aerosols concentration is also equally important in understanding
the earth's radiation balance. Profiles of aerosol scattering reveal
cloud structures that are important in regulating surface temperature.

Raman Lidar systems detect selected species by monitoring the
wavelength-shifted molecular return produced by Raman scattering from
the chosen molecule or molecules. This scattering occurs when
illuminating the atmosphere with a pulsed laser.
For water-vapor measurements, the nitrogen Raman signal is observed
simultaneously with the water-vapor Raman signal. Proper ratioing of
the signals yields the water-vapor mixing ratio. Similarly, the aerosol
scattering ratio is obtained by ratioing the laser wavelength signal
with the nitrogen Raman signal.