A Narrow-Linewidth, Yb Fiber-Amplifier-Based Upper Atmospheric Doppler Temperature Lidar

A compelling use for high-power, narrow-linewidth fiber lasers and amplifiers is atmospheric Doppler lidars. Such systems require high power, good beam quality, a broad tuning range, and ruggedness. In this paper, we present a ground-based diode-seeded, high-power, narrow-linewidth Yb fiber-amplifier-based Doppler temperature lidar operating at 1083 nm for measuring temperature and density of the neutral atmosphere from 300 to 1000 km. Principles of Doppler resonance fluorescence lidar will be introduced. The current state of the fiber-based lidar system will be addressed, as well as ongoing work to increase SNR through power scaling and improvement of spatial resolution and wind measurement capability via pulsed operation.

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