A High Spectral Resolution Lidar for cloud and aerosol optical measurements in the Arctic

Global climate models have shown a strong sensitivity to cloud conditions in the arctic. Only very limited arctic cloud climatologies are available. The University of Wisconsin High Spectral Resolution Lidar (HSRL) provides vertical profiles of optical depth, backscatter cross section, depolarization and backscatter phase function. All HSRL measurements are absolutely calibrated by reference to molecular scattering. This paper describes a new HSRL designed for observations of arctic clouds and hazes. The new instrument is designed to operate as an unattended internet appliance and will be deployed in Barrow Alaska for long-term observations.