Backscattering linear depolarization ratio measurements of mineral, sea-salt, and ammonium sulfate particles simulated in a laboratory chamber.

The backscattering linear depolarization ratios of major types of tropospheric aerosol particles (Asian and Saharan mineral dust, sea salt, and ammonium sulfate) were measured using a laboratory chamber for interpreting the polarization lidar measurement of tropospheric aerosols. The values obtained from Asian and Saharan mineral particles were 0.39 +/- 0.04 to 0.05 (mean +/- standard deviation) for a high number of concentrations in the supermicrometer range and 0.17 +/- 0.03 to 0.14 +/- 0.03 in the submicrometer range. The values were 0.08 +/- 0.01 for sea-salt crystals, 0.04 +/- 0.003 for ammonium sulfate crystals, and 0.01 +/- < or = 0.001 for both liquid droplets in the submicrometer range. These values can serve as a reference for estimating aerosol type using lidar measurement.