Height and thickness of a scattering (aerosol or cloud) layer from space-based oxygen A-band spectroscopy: An analytical approach

Abstract

Simplified radiative transfer modeling is used to show that both altitude and thickness of a scattering layer (in pressure units) can be inferred from spectral satellite observations in the O₂ A-band at high-enough resolution, and with prior information about optical thickness.  For simplicity, the surface is assumed black (water-like).  This confirms previous claims but using closed-form analytical methods, hence more physical insight.  For optically thin aerosol or cirrus, the single-scattering limit is used; for optically thick clouds or aerosol plumes, a diffusion-type model is invoked.