Differential absorption lidar measurements of atmospheric water vapor using an optical parametric oscillator source

Abstract

A differential absorption lidar system based on a continuously tunable Nd:YAG pumped optical parametric oscillator source is described which is capable of range-resolved measurements of atmospheric species with absorption bands in the 1.4-4.0-mum range. The system has been used to measure atmospheric water vapor at ranges of up to 1 km. The actual and predicted performances of the system are compared, and some of the problems peculiar to continuously tunable IR sources, such as non-negligible linewidth and the need for accurate wavelength setting, are analyzed.