Sodium Resonance Wind-Temperature Lidar at PFRR: Initial Observations and Performance
A narrowband sodium resonance wind-temperature lidar (SRWTL) has been deployed at Poker Flat Research Range, Chatanika, Alaska (PFRR, 65° N, 147° W). Based on the Weber narrowband SRWTL, the PFRR SRWTL transmitter was upgraded with a state-of-the-art solid-state tunable diode laser...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2020-01-01
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| Series: | Atmosphere |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/11/1/98 |
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| author | Jintai Li Bifford P. Williams Jennifer H. Alspach Richard L. Collins |
| author_facet | Jintai Li Bifford P. Williams Jennifer H. Alspach Richard L. Collins |
| author_sort | Jintai Li |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | A narrowband sodium resonance wind-temperature lidar (SRWTL) has been deployed at Poker Flat Research Range, Chatanika, Alaska (PFRR, 65° N, 147° W). Based on the Weber narrowband SRWTL, the PFRR SRWTL transmitter was upgraded with a state-of-the-art solid-state tunable diode laser as the seed laser. The PFRR SRWTL currently makes simultaneous measurements in the zenith and 20° off-zenith towards the north with two transmitted beams and two telescopes. Initial results for both nighttime and daytime measurements are presented. We review the performance of the PFRR SRWTL in terms of seven previous and currently operating SRWTLs. The transmitted power from the pulsed dye amplifier (PDA) is comparable with other SRWTL systems (900 mW). However, while the efficiency of the seeding and frequency shifting is comparable to other SRWTLs the efficiency of the pumping is lower. The uncertainties of temperature and wind measurements induced by photon noise at the peak of the layer with a 5 min, 1 km resolution are estimated to be ~1 K and 2 m/s for nighttime conditions, and 10 K and 6 m/s for daytime conditions. The relative efficiency of the zenith receiver is comparable to other SRWTLs (90−97%), while the efficiency of the north off-zenith receiver needs further optimization. An upgrade of the PFRR SRWTL to a full three-beam system with zenith, northward and eastward measurements is in progress. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-10T13:44:49Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-4383ed37fc63495a9b0fcaf152fb9bc5 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4433 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-10T13:44:49Z |
| publishDate | 2020-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Atmosphere |
| spelling | doaj.art-4383ed37fc63495a9b0fcaf152fb9bc52022-12-22T01:46:29ZengMDPI AGAtmosphere2073-44332020-01-011119810.3390/atmos11010098atmos11010098Sodium Resonance Wind-Temperature Lidar at PFRR: Initial Observations and PerformanceJintai Li0Bifford P. Williams1Jennifer H. Alspach2Richard L. Collins3Department of Physics and Astronomy, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USAGATS, Boulder, CO 80301, USAGeophysical Institute and Department of Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK 99775, USAGeophysical Institute and Department of Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK 99775, USAA narrowband sodium resonance wind-temperature lidar (SRWTL) has been deployed at Poker Flat Research Range, Chatanika, Alaska (PFRR, 65° N, 147° W). Based on the Weber narrowband SRWTL, the PFRR SRWTL transmitter was upgraded with a state-of-the-art solid-state tunable diode laser as the seed laser. The PFRR SRWTL currently makes simultaneous measurements in the zenith and 20° off-zenith towards the north with two transmitted beams and two telescopes. Initial results for both nighttime and daytime measurements are presented. We review the performance of the PFRR SRWTL in terms of seven previous and currently operating SRWTLs. The transmitted power from the pulsed dye amplifier (PDA) is comparable with other SRWTL systems (900 mW). However, while the efficiency of the seeding and frequency shifting is comparable to other SRWTLs the efficiency of the pumping is lower. The uncertainties of temperature and wind measurements induced by photon noise at the peak of the layer with a 5 min, 1 km resolution are estimated to be ~1 K and 2 m/s for nighttime conditions, and 10 K and 6 m/s for daytime conditions. The relative efficiency of the zenith receiver is comparable to other SRWTLs (90−97%), while the efficiency of the north off-zenith receiver needs further optimization. An upgrade of the PFRR SRWTL to a full three-beam system with zenith, northward and eastward measurements is in progress.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/11/1/98sodium resonance wind-temperature lidarsolid-state diode laserdoppler-free spectroscopysystem efficiencymesopauseupper mesospherelower thermosphere |
| spellingShingle | Jintai Li Bifford P. Williams Jennifer H. Alspach Richard L. Collins Sodium Resonance Wind-Temperature Lidar at PFRR: Initial Observations and Performance Atmosphere sodium resonance wind-temperature lidar solid-state diode laser doppler-free spectroscopy system efficiency mesopause upper mesosphere lower thermosphere |
| title | Sodium Resonance Wind-Temperature Lidar at PFRR: Initial Observations and Performance |
| title_full | Sodium Resonance Wind-Temperature Lidar at PFRR: Initial Observations and Performance |
| title_fullStr | Sodium Resonance Wind-Temperature Lidar at PFRR: Initial Observations and Performance |
| title_full_unstemmed | Sodium Resonance Wind-Temperature Lidar at PFRR: Initial Observations and Performance |
| title_short | Sodium Resonance Wind-Temperature Lidar at PFRR: Initial Observations and Performance |
| title_sort | sodium resonance wind temperature lidar at pfrr initial observations and performance |
| topic | sodium resonance wind-temperature lidar solid-state diode laser doppler-free spectroscopy system efficiency mesopause upper mesosphere lower thermosphere |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/11/1/98 |
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