DIAL Measurements of Atmospheric Water Vapor, HCl, and CH4 Using a Continuously Tunable 1.7 μm Co:MgF2 Laser*

Abstract

There is a need for the development of new, tunable high-power lasers in the near-to-middle IR to serve as sources in lidar systems for remote sensing of the atmosphere. We report on the development and use of a new solid-state, cobalt-doped magnesium fluoride laser (Co:MgF2), which is continuously tunable from 1.5 to 2.3 μm, and describe the use of this laser in a DIAL system to measure water vapor, HCl, and CH4 in the atmosphere. Both path-averaged and range-resolved DIAL measurements have been made at ranges up to 6 km and 3 km, respectively.