The solution of the lidar equation for profiles of backscatter and ext
inction in optically thin clouds is constrained by values of the cloud
transmittance determined from the elastically scattered lidar signals
below and above the cloud. The method is extended to those cases in w
hich an aerosol layer lies below or above the cloud layer. Examples ar
e given in both cases. An analytical expression for the average lidar
ratio in the cloud is derived for those cases in which molecular scatt
ering is significant. (C) 1995 Optical Society of America