A proposed all-solid-state transportable narrow-band sodium lidar for mesopause region temperature and horizontal wind measurements

Abstract

An all-solid-state narrowband sodium lidar transmitter based on proven technologies is proposed. These proven technologies include: (i) the sum frequency generation of 589 nm coherent radiation with pulsed solid-state Nd:YAG lasers at 1064 and 1319 nm, developed for laser-guided star research and used in lidar measurements of mesopause-region temperatures by Shinshu University, (ii) the Doppler-free spectroscopic seed control developed by the Colorado State University and employed in a lidar system with hybrid solid-state and dye technologies for mesopause-region temperature and horizontal wind measurements, and (iii) the low-power continuous wave, tunable light around 589 nm via sum frequency generation developed by the University of Nevada. The proper combination of these mature technologies, deployed along with sodium-vapor Faraday filters, also developed by Colorado State University, will lead to a new all-solid-state sodium fluorescence lidar, capable of measuring mesopause-region temperatures and horizontal winds on a 24 h continuous basis, weather permitting. The integration of these proven solid-state technologies will make this proposed lidar transportable and suitable for remote operation in harsh environments. PACS Nos.: 42.68.Wt, 42.79.Qx, 92.60.–e, 07.20.Dt, 42.79.Qx