In the present work, a numerical and statistical modeling approach is developed for estimating the operation efficiency of high-spectral-resolution lidars (HSRLs), when determining the atmospheric aerosol extinction profiles along the lidar line of sight (LOS) at different sensing (laser) radiation wavelengths from the UV, VIS and NIR spectral ranges. The efficiency estimation is based on numerical modeling of the lidar signal profile along the LOS and the corresponding profile of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of its measurement. The optimally efficient wavelength (at certain distances along the LOS) is that ensuring maximum signal strength and SNR and, consequently, brighter and clearer lidar images of specific aerosol objects and background. The results about the optimum wavelengths obtained under different atmospheric-turbidity conditions (clear or hazy atmosphere), in the presence of cirrus clouds, are proved by statistical modeling and processing of realistic (noisy) lidar profiles and recovering the atmospheric extinction profiles along the LOS. It is shown that up to certain characteristic altitudes (that are lower at higher turbidity) the UV wavelengths are advantageous in the above sense. Above the mentioned altitudes, successively, first the VIS and then the NIR wavelengths become more efficient compared to the UV wavelengths.

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Estimation is performed based on a theory developed by Eloranta of the double-scattering contribution to the LIDAR return from a multi-component atmosphere that may contain not only molecular (gaseous) and aerosol fractions, but other compact aerosol objects as well, such as cirrus clouds or Saharan dust layers. It is shown that the relative double-scattering component of the LIDAR return may be approximately considered as a sum of the independent relative contributions of each of the atmospheric components. Then, using appropriate models, the contribution of each component of interest is evaluated as a function of the altitude, taking into account the scattering properties of the medium under consideration, the angular divergence and the wavelength of the sensing laser beam, and the angle of view of the receiving optical system. The results obtained outline the cases when either the double scattering is negligible or corrections are necessary for the multiple scattering effects.