Cloud top height retrieval using polarizing remote sensing data of POLDER

A cloud-top height retrieval method is proposed by using polarizing remote sensing. In cloudy conditions, it shows that, in purple and blue bands, linear polarizing radiance at the top-of-atmosphere is mainly contributed by Rayleigh scattering of the atmosphere’s molecules above cloud, and the contribution by cloud reflection and aerosol scattering can be neglected. With such characteristics, the basis principle and method of cloud-top height retrieval using polarizing remote sensing are presented in detail, and is applied to the polarizing remote sensing data of POLDER. The satellite-derived cloud-top height product can not only show the distribution of global cloud-top height, but also obtain the cloud-top height distribution of moderate-scale meteorological phenomena like typhoon.