High-pulse-repetition-frequency lidar system using a single telescope for transmission and reception

The design, construction, and operation of a stratospheric Rayleigh lidar system is outlined. The lidar system was designed to operate as a Doppler lidar; however, for the first stage of the project it was set up to operate in a manner similar to a more conventional stratospheric Rayleigh lidar. This system includes a number of unique design features, including a high-pulse-repetition-frequency laser and the use of a single l-m-diameter telescope for transmission of the laser pulse and reception of the backscattered light. An associated high-speed rotating shutter system switches the optical system from the transmission to the reception mode. The system was operated at Adelaide, Australia (35 degrees S, 138 degrees E). Scattering ratio and temperature profiles are calculated for data collected during the period from 10 March 1992 to 11 May 1993. The scattering ratio profiles clearly show the reduction in the scattering from the stratospheric aerosol layer. This is due to the removal of the aerosol injected by the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo. The measured relative density profiles show very good agreement with the Cospar international reference atmosphere model densities, as do the temperature profiles calculated from these. (C) 1996 Optical Society of America