Polarization lidar: Corrections of instrumental effects

An algorithm for correcting instrumental effects in polarization lidar studies is discussed. Cross-talk between the perpendicular and parallel polarization channels and imperfect polarization of the transmitted laser beam are taken into account. On the basis of the Mueller formalism it is shown that - with certain assumptions the combined effects of imperfect polarization of the transmitted laser pulse, non-ideal properties of transmitter and receiver optics and crosstalk between parallel and perpendicular polarization channels can be described by a single parameter, which is essentially the overall system depolarization. (C) 2000 Optical Society of America.