Raman Shifted Dye Laser for DIAL Measurements of Atmospheric Temperature, Pressure and Density

Abstract

In recent years Differential Absorption Lidar (DIAL) measurements in the A-band of molecular oxygen have been suggested1-5 as a means of profiling atmospheric variables such as temperature, pressure, and density. Laser sources of pulsed, tunable (760 - 770 nm) and narrow-bandwidth (0.02 - 0.03 cm-1) radiation, having a high degree of spectral purity (>99%) in this region of the oxygen A-band, are thus highly desirable. This paper reports on the current state of progress in our laboratory efforts in this field.