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Radiative Transfer and Remote Sensing in Aerosol Atmosphere
Kuo-Nan Liou
Abstract: We propose to undertake research on light scattering and absorption by aerosols with nonspherical shapes and internal inclusions, commonly occurring in the atmosphere, to obtain the fundamental data essential for a reliable understanding of aerosol radiative forcings and for correct applications to satellite remote sensing of aerosol properties. We plan to use the finite-difference time domain method, an exact method in the numerical sense, developed by our research group to perform this task. Spectral aerosol radiative forcing studies will also be carried out using a line-by-line equivalent solar radiative model that includes absorption, multiple scattering, polarization, and potential emission by all pertinent gases and particulates including aerosols, water droplets, and ice crystals in realistic atmospheric conditions.
In view of the fact that cirrus clouds are ubiquitous, particularly in the tropics, reliable aerosol retrievals must account for cirrus effects. This will also enhance the retrieval domain for aerosols in time and space using past and present (AVHRR) and future (MODIS) satellite data. >From this perspective and in the spirit of collaborating with pertinent researchers working in aerosols retrieval areas, we wish to contribute to a scientific team in the specific area of reconstruction of clear (aerosol)radiances in cirrus cloudy atmospheres. Our proposed programs begin with the detection of cirrus using AVHRR and MODIS channels and then present the IR technique that has been developed by our group for retrieval of the cirrus optical depth, ice crystal size, and temperature (height) for the purpose of removing the cirrus effect employing AVHRR channels. We further discuss a proposed solar technique for applications to MODIS channels for the removal of the cirrus effect in aerosol atmospheres including validations.
It is submitted that our proposed programs will contribute substantially to a scientific team effort to quantify aerosol radiative forcing globally based on past and future satellite measurements.
