Combined method for optical sensing of the lower and middle atmosphere

Abstract

A combined optical method for remote sensing of the lower and middle atmosphere is applied in a lidar system. The method is based on the reception of the signals of Rayleigh (elastic molecular) scattering at a wavelength of 532 nm, and of Raman scattering (in this work, radiation of the first rovibrational transition in nitrogen molecules at a wavelength of 607 nm when excited by laser radiation at 532 nm). The use of the Raman channel made it possible to eliminate the distorting effect of aerosol at altitudes of its localization (up to 25 km) on the accuracy of temperature measurement. Using simultaneous measurements in both receiving channels, extensive temperature profiles were obtained at altitudes from 7 to 60 km, covering both the lower and middle atmosphere. A good agreement is found between the obtained data and the satellite and aerological measurements, as well as with the model’s expectations.