Optical properties of PSC Ia‐enhanced at UV and visible wavelengths: Model and observations

Abstract

Model calculations suggest that PSC‐Ia optical properties measured by lidar at ultraviolet and visible wavelengths are strongly correlated; particle depolarization ratios and backscatter coefficients are 17% smaller and 41% larger at a wavelength of 532 nm than at 355 nm, respectively. The model relations are used to compute 532‐nm particle backscatter and depolarization ratios from 355‐nm lidar data of a PSC Ia‐enhanced, i.e., a PSC of type Ia with unusually high backscatter ratios, measured with a UV Raman lidar over Esrange, Sweden (67.9° N, 21.1° E), on 20 Jan 1997. The calculated optical properties agree well with lidar observations at 532 nm of this PSC type.