title: Distortions of the extinction coefficient profile caused by systematic errors in lidar data.
abstract: The influence of lidar data systematic errors on the retrieved particulate extinction coefficient profile in clear atmospheres is investigated. Particularly, two sources of the extinction coefficient profile distortions are analyzed: (1) a zero-line offset remaining after subtraction of an inaccurately determined signal background component and (2) a far-end incomplete overlap due to poor adjustment of the lidar system optics. Inversion results for simulated lidar signals, obtained with the near- and far-end solutions, are presented that show advantages of the near-end solution for clear atmospheres.
authors.affiliation: Fire Sciences Laboratory, U.S. Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 8089, Missoula, Montana 59807, USA. vkovalev@fs.fed.us
authors.forename: Vladimir A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Kovalev