From the Troposphere to Thermosphere: Compact Doppler Lidar units for observation networks

We present the current status of our transportable, multi-purpose lidar units for investigating small- to large-scale processes in the atmosphere. An array of compact lidars with multiple fields of view will allow for measurements of temperatures, winds, aerosols and metals with high temporal and vertical resolution.

Our lidar units enable the investigation of Mie scattering (aerosols), Rayleigh scattering (air molecules), and resonance fluorescence (e.g. potassium atoms) from the troposphere (5 km) to the thermosphere (100 km). The unique frequency scanning laser and filter techniques allow multiple observations (wind, temperature, aerosols, metal density). The combination of a tunable alexandrite laser emitter and receiver enables high-resolution spectral characterization of the backscattered Doppler signals at day and night. In future, the relevance of such lidar networks will increase for improved weather prediction and long-term trends, monitoring of metal densities (meteoric and space debris impact) as well as calibration and validation of spaceborne missions.

We will present the progress of our lidar development in the IR and UV wavelength range, expanded measurement capabilities (e.g. aerosols, wind) and current results of measurements at 54°N and 69°N.