Abstract
A differential absorption lidar (DIAL) system has been developed for the measurement of water vapor throughout the free troposphere [3 to above sea level (asl.)] with high vertical resolution varied from next to the ground to above an altitude of . The system was installed at the Schneefernerhaus high-altitude research station ( asl., Zugspitze, Germany). The DIAL system is based on a tunable single-mode laser system with a high pulse energy of currently and a repetition rate of . For lidar operation with energies typically between and and an integration time of (10000 laser shots for both DIAL wavelengths) a vertical range of at least has been demonstrated even under dry conditions and during daytime, while daytime measurements up to have been possible under humid conditions. The system was intercompared with radiosondes, which suggests an agreement within 5% in a major part of the operating range. Further improvements are planned in the upper troposphere to approach the accuracy requirements needed in climate research.
© 2008 Optical Society of America
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