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Updated: Jun 22, 2026
10:53
Simultaneous Measurement of Turbulence and Particle Kinematics Using Flow Imaging Techniques
Published on: March 12, 2019
Coherent return turbulent fluctuations in ground lidar systems profiling along slant paths
Optics Express
|June 9, 2009
Summary
This study estimates uncertainty in optical power measurements for ground-based heterodyne lidar systems. The research accounts for atmospheric turbulence and realistic conditions, improving lidar atmospheric profiling accuracy.
Area of Science:
- Atmospheric Optics
- Remote Sensing
- Optical Engineering
Background:
- Heterodyne lidar systems are crucial for atmospheric profiling.
- Atmospheric turbulence introduces significant uncertainty in optical power measurements.
- Accurate power measurement is essential for reliable lidar data.
Purpose of the Study:
- To simulate beam propagation for optical power measurement in heterodyne lidar.
- To estimate inherent statistical uncertainty from coherent return fluctuations.
- To account for realistic, non-uniform atmospheric conditions in lidar analysis.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing beam propagation simulations.
- Analyzing coherent return fluctuations.
- Developing an approach for non-uniform atmospheric conditions.
Main Results:
- Quantified statistical uncertainty in optical power measurements.
- Validated the impact of atmospheric turbulence on lidar signals.
- Demonstrated a method applicable to practical instrument configurations.
Conclusions:
- The developed approach enhances the accuracy of atmospheric profiling with ground-based lidar.
- Realistic atmospheric conditions can be effectively incorporated into lidar simulations.
- This work provides a foundation for more robust lidar data interpretation.
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