Simulation and optimization of Fe resonance fluorescence lidar performance for temperature-wind measurement

Abstract

Fe resonance fluorescence lidar (Fe lidar) is considered an ideal candidate for temperature and wind measurement in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere region. However, considering the complexity of it, only a few Fe lidars have been operated in a few locations. To develop a Fe lidar with high performance, simulation work is the first important step. A simulation model is built in this paper. The expressions for the temperature-wind uncertainties are derived using the error propagation method. Within the limit of saturation effect, an index decomposition of the lidar and atmospheric parameters are performed. When the dwell time and central frequency shift are optimized to 0.205 and 932 MHz at night and 0.212 and 687 MHz during the day, night and daytime calibration curves are acquired, and after confirming the simulation parameters, the performance of Fe lidar is also evaluated. The simulation model could provide a valuable guidance for Fe lidar design.