@prefix ns0: <http://gcmd.gsfc.nasa.gov/kms#> .
@prefix skos: <http://www.w3.org/2004/02/skos/core#> .

<https://gcmd.earthdata.nasa.gov/kms/concept/5409f22f-d1f3-4e53-8c00-9aef3e82e932>
  ns0:altLabel [ ] ;
  skos:definition """The Cloud Lidar System (CLS), which was operated from the left ER2 superpod, measured the backscatter cross-sections of cloud and aerosol particles at 1.064 and 0.532 microns. It was used in the TOGA/COARE experiment primarily to profile clouds below the flight level of the aircraft which was typically 18.0-20.5 km. In cases where the cloud optical thicknesses were small, boundary layer aerosol backscatter signals were detectable. The  0.532 micron lidar return was split into signals that were  parallel and perpendicular to the outgoing laser radiation,  thereby providing polarization sensitive data principally for  cloud particle phase state detection. The cloud lidar provided  information on the internal vertical structure of optically  thin clouds which aids in the determination of the overall  influence of such clouds on the radiative balance in both the  shortwave and longwave portions of the spectrum. Another  principal application that was planned for the ER2 CLS was the  study of radiative heating and cooling rates for tropical  cirrus. The CLS provided a detailed picture of internal cloud  structure which aided in the interpretation of visible,  infrared, and microwave radiometric data when they are applied  to the determination of radiative fluxes and forcing. The lidar  signal was useful up to a maximum optical thickness of 3 to  4. It provided the locations of cloud layer boundaries, both  vertically and horizontally, which was useful in most types of  cloud studies.  The CLS can provide information on cloud  particle characteristics. Depolarization of the laser pulses  detected at the green wavelenghts can reveal water phase state  of the particles. CLS backscatter information, when combined  with multispectral radiometric observations, can be used in the  determination particle size and concentration within the  clouds.   The lidar also gathered data on boundary layer heights and  aerosol backscatter cross-sections. From the distribution of  cloud base heights in and around the marine boundary layer, an  estimate of the LCL (lifting condensation level) can be  obtained. When combined with the sea surface temperature this  could provide a measure of the moisture content. From the  intensity of the lidar return, estimates of cloud liquid water  are possible.   

[Summary provided by NASA]


Group: Instrument_Details
   Entry_ID: CLS
   Group: Instrument_Identification
      Instrument_Category: Earth Remote Sensing Instruments
      Instrument_Class: Active Remote Sensing
      Instrument_Type: Profilers/Sounders
      Instrument_Subtype: Lidar/Laser Sounders
      Short_Name: CLS
      Long_Name: Cloud Lidar System
   End_Group
   Group: Associated_Platforms
      Short_Name: NASA ER-2
   End_Group
End_Group"""@en ;
  skos:prefLabel "CLS"@en ;
  skos:inScheme <https://gcmd.earthdata.nasa.gov/kms/concepts/concept_scheme/instruments> ;
  skos:broader <https://gcmd.earthdata.nasa.gov/kms/concept/7c13f166-8711-4d2f-9251-4635002c6c31> ;
  a skos:Concept .

<https://gcmd.earthdata.nasa.gov/kms/concept/7c13f166-8711-4d2f-9251-4635002c6c31>
  skos:prefLabel "Lidar/Laser Sounders"@en ;
  a skos:Concept ;
  skos:narrower <https://gcmd.earthdata.nasa.gov/kms/concept/5409f22f-d1f3-4e53-8c00-9aef3e82e932> .

