Three-Wavelength Backscatter Measurement of Clouds and Aerosols Using a White Light Lidar System

Abstract

A white light continuum was generated by a self-trapped intense femtosecond laser pulse in atmospheric-pressure rare gas, krypton. The measured broad spectrum of the generated white light ranged from 300 nm to more than 950 nm. This new light source was utilized for the first time to perform three-wavelength backscatter measurement of aerosols and clouds. The time-resolved backscattered light was separated into three channels, 350 nm, 550 nm and 700 nm. Each channel showed strong backscattering from aerosols and clouds up to 2.5 km. Experimental measurement indicates that this novel light source can be used for multiwavelength lidar studies.