A compact formulation for the retrieval of the overlap function in an elastic/Raman aerosol lidar

Abstract. We derive an explicit (i.e. non-iterative) formula for the retrieval of the overlap function in an aerosol lidar with both elastic and Raman N2 or/and O2 channels used for independent measurements of aerosol backscatter and extinction coefficients. The formula requires only the measured, range-corrected, elastic and the corresponding Raman signals, plus an assumed lidar ratio. We assess the influence of the lidar ratio error in the overlap function retrieval and present retrieval examples.