Abstract
Abstract. Continuous water vapor and temperature profiles are critically needed for improved understanding of the lower atmosphere and potential advances in weather forecasting skill. Ground-based, national-scale profiling networks are part of a suite of instruments to provide such observations; however, the technological method must be cost-effective and quantitative. We have been developing an active remote sensing technology based on a diode-laser-based lidar technology to address this observational need. Narrowband, high-spectral-fidelity diode lasers enable accurate and calibration-free measurements requiring a minimal set of assumptions based on direct absorption (Beer–Lambert law) and a ratio of two signals. These well-proven quantitative methods are known as differential absorption lidar (DIAL) and high-spectral-resolution lidar (HSRL). This diode-laser-based architecture, characterized by less powerful laser transmitters than those historically used for atmospheric studies, can be made eye-safe and robust. Nevertheless, it also requires solar background suppression techniques such as narrow-field-of-view receivers with an ultra-narrow bandpass to observe individual photons backscattered from the atmosphere. We discuss this diode-laser-based lidar architecture's latest generation and analyze how it addresses a national-scale profiling network's need to provide continuous thermodynamic observations. The work presented focuses on general architecture changes that pertain to both the water vapor and the temperature profiling capabilities of the MicroPulse DIAL (MPD). However, the specific subcomponent testing and instrument validation presented are for the water vapor measurements only. A fiber-coupled seed laser transmitter optimization is performed and shown to meet all of the requirements for the DIAL technique. Further improvements – such as a fiber-coupled near-range receiver, the ability to perform quality control via automatic receiver scanning, advanced multi-channel scalar capabilities, and advanced processing techniques – are discussed. These new developments increase narrowband DIAL technology readiness and are shown to allow higher-quality water vapor measurements closer to the surface via preliminary intercomparisons within the MPD network itself and with radiosondes.
Highlights
The complex interaction of atmospheric water vapor and temperature fields with large-scale circulation patterns makes predicting weather and climate phenomena very challenging (Allen and Ingram, 2002; Held and Soden, 2006; Schneider et al, 2010; Sherwood et al, 2010; Stevens and Bony, 2013a, b; Ralph et al, 2017)
The technology’s foundation is on costeffective, narrowband, high-spectral-fidelity diode lasers. These sources allow quantitative atmospheric measurements using techniques that require a minimal set of assumptions based on direct absorption (Beer–Lambert law) and a ratio of two signals. These well-proven quantitative methods are known as differential absorption lidar (DIAL) and the highspectral-resolution lidar (HSRL) technique within the lidar discipline
These devices are much less powerful than narrowband solid-state lasers historically used for quantitative atmospheric lidar methods of DIAL and HSRL (e.g., Piironen and Eloranta, 1994; Wirth et al, 2009; Späth et al, 2016)
Summary
The complex interaction of atmospheric water vapor and temperature fields with large-scale circulation patterns makes predicting weather and climate phenomena very challenging (Allen and Ingram, 2002; Held and Soden, 2006; Schneider et al, 2010; Sherwood et al, 2010; Stevens and Bony, 2013a, b; Ralph et al, 2017). Continuous range-resolved measurements of water vapor and temperature at large scales are critically needed to improve severe weather and precipitation forecasting (Weckwerth et al, 1999; Wulfmeyer et al, 2015; Geerts et al, 2016; Jensen et al, 2016). This enhanced predictive skill is essential to regional and national agencies serving those affected by highimpact weather phenomena. The technology’s foundation is on costeffective, narrowband, high-spectral-fidelity diode lasers These sources allow quantitative atmospheric measurements using techniques that require a minimal set of assumptions based on direct absorption (Beer–Lambert law) and a ratio of two signals.
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