Abstract

During 1992, we used a compact, radio-frequency (rf) excited, CO₂ coherent lidar to measure winds in the marine boundary layer. This system employed a Q-switched master oscillator, frequency offset local oscillator, and power amplifier unit to provide 1-3 mJ of energies at pulse rates of 200 Hz. The lidar is currently being modified to provide measurements at two wavelengths, which will enable simultaneous Doppler wind observations and differential absorption lidar (DIAL) species concentration measurements in the lower 3-5 km of the atmosphere. It is hoped that the instrument will be able to provide concentration and vertical flux profiles of water vapor and ozone, as well as discriminate between cloud ice and water particles, to support climate and global change related research in the lower troposphere.

© 1995 Optical Society of America