Scanning polarization lidar LOSA-M3: opportunity for research of crystalline particle orientation in the ice clouds

The article describes a scanning polarization lidar, LOSA-M3, developed at the V. E. Zuev Institute of Atmospheric Optics, the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IAO SB RAS), as part of the common use center "Atmosphere". The first results of studying the crystalline particle orientation by means of this lidar are presented herein. The main features of the LOSA-M3 lidar are the following: (1) an automatic scanning device, which allows changing the sensing direction in the upper hemisphere at the speed up to 1.5.sup." s.sup.-1 with the accuracy of the angle measurement setting of at least 1 arcmin, (2) separation of the polarization components of the received radiation that is carried out directly behind the receiving telescope without installing the elements distorting polarization, such as dichroic mirrors and beam splitters, and (3) continuous alternation of the initial polarization state (linear-circular) from pulse to pulse that makes it possible to evaluate some elements of the scattering matrix.