Lidar measurements of atmospheric backscattering amplification

Results of long-term continuous measurements of the atmospheric backscattering amplification coefficient on a 2-km-long near-ground path with the use of a two-channel micropulse lidar based on a waveguide laser are presented. It is shown that the backscattering amplification coefficient has a pronounced daily variation. In the night and in the afternoon, atmospheric backscattering amplification is maximal and the amplification coefficient can exceed 2. The amplification is low or absent in morning and evening hours at neutral temperature stratification in the near-ground layer of the atmosphere. The backscattering amplification coefficient increases with an increase in the structure constant of the air refracting index and variance of the image jitter of the illumination spot created by the probing laser beam on the wall of a 2-km-distant building.