The absorption coefficient per unit mass α(cm²g^-l) for aerosols in the wavelength range λ = 1.06–10.6 µm is shown to be a sensitive function of particle size distribution and of both imaginary and real indexes of refraction. Hence the imaginary index of refraction cannot be accurately determined from absorption measurements on an aerosol sample as attempted by S. A. Schleusener et al., Appl. Opt. 15, 2546 (1976), unless the size distribution and real index of the aerosol material are known. Similar difficulties arise in attempts to infer imaginary index from transmission measurements through aerosol samples as done by F. E. Volz, Appl. Opt. 11, 755 (1972); 12, 564 (1973) and K. Fischer, Beitr. Phys. Atmos. 43, 244 (1970). In addition, scattering losses can further complicate the determination of imaginary index from transmission measurements.

© 1979 Optical Society of America

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