Detecting clouds using polarized sunlight

US9964482B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army · US

Inventors

• Wenbo Sun · Yorktown, US
• Gorden Videen · Silver Spring, US
• Michael I. Mishchenko · New York, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 26, 2016
• Grant date: May 8, 2018
• Expiry date: Mar 3, 2036

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01N2201/0616
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A novel methodology for detecting cloud particles is disclosed herein. This methodology exploits the optical glory phenomenon. According to one embodiment, a method for detecting clouds includes receiving data from a sensor which is configured to measure polarization of scattered light in a direction substantially opposite to the direction of incident light, and identifying, from the received sensor data, a cloud based on the polarization of the scattered light.