Lidar measurements of backscatter amplification in a surface atmosphere

The results of long-term continuous measurements of the atmospheric backscattering amplification on an atmospheric surface path 2 km long with a two-channel micropulse lidar based on waveguide laser are presented. It is shown that the backscatter amplification coefficient has the pronounced diurnal behavior. In the day and night time, the atmospheric backscattering amplification is maximal and the amplification coefficient can exceed two. The amplification is low or absent in the morning and evening hours at the neutral temperature stratification in the atmospheric surface layer. The backscattering amplification coefficient increases with an increase of the structure constant of the refractive index of air, as well as with an increase of random wander of optical image of the probing laser beam spot at the distance 2 km from the lidar.