Abstract

In a critique of two-wavelength lidar inversion techniques, Kunz [Appl. Opt. 38, 1015 (1999)] presented mathematical arguments that such techniques cannot yield unique solutions for extinction profiles. Ackermann [Appl. Opt. 38, 7414 (1999)] presented an analytical solution for the extinction profile from a two-wavelength lidar and also attempted to refute Kunz’s mathematical arguments. However, the fundamental reasons why the authors of these two papers reached different conclusions were not fully uncovered. These previous papers are critically examined, and a new mathematical proof of uniqueness is provided. Further analyses are presented to explain how the technique works, along with comments on its limitations.

© 2001 Optical Society of America

Analytical solution of the two-frequency lidar inversion technique

Jörg Ackermann
Appl. Opt. 38(36) 7414-7418 (1999)

Two-wavelength lidar inversion algorithm

Gerard J. Kunz
Appl. Opt. 38(6) 1015-1020 (1999)

Two-wavelength lidar inversion algorithm for a two-component atmosphere with variable extinction-to-backscatter ratios

Jörg Ackermann
Appl. Opt. 37(15) 3164-3171 (1998)

Two-frequency lidar inversion technique

John F. Potter
Appl. Opt. 26(7) 1250-1256 (1987)

Two-wavelength lidar inversion algorithm for a two-component atmosphere

Jörg Ackermann
Appl. Opt. 36(21) 5134-5143 (1997)