OMQ Seminar: Measurement of the optical properties of snow and ice using a diffuse photon-counting LiDAR

By Markus Allgaier, University of Oregon, Smith/Raymer group

  • Event Type: Seminar
  • Date and Time: 01/31/2022 3:00 pm - 01/31/2022 4:00 pm
  • Location: Willamette 240D and Zoom
Special Day and Time

The optical properties of snow and glacier ice control absorption of solar radiation, melt, and ultimately the availability of water resources and sea level rise. However, due to the complex physical structure and scattering present in glaciers and snow crystals, these properties are not easily measured. We present a description of the propagation of optical pulses in such a scattering medium with appropriate boundary conditions, and describe radiative transfer in terms of optical bulk parameters, namely the scattering and absorption coefficient. To measure these properties, we employ a portable photon-counting LiDAR system, which cannot only cope with a large amount of return loss, but also with the harsh environment of the cryosphere. Finally, the instrument’s capabilities are demonstrated on Collier Glacier in the Central Oregon Cascades.