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Updated: Jun 15, 2026
13:27
Exploring the Effects of Atmospheric Forcings on Evaporation: Experimental Integration of the Atmospheric Boundary Layer and Shallow Subsurface
Published on: June 8, 2015
Raman-lidar humidity sounding of the atmospheric boundary-layer.
Applied Optics
|March 9, 2010
Summary
This study introduces a Raman-lidar system for measuring atmospheric water vapor. The system achieves accurate water vapor profiles up to 1800m, demonstrating its utility in atmospheric research.
Area of Science:
- Atmospheric Science
- Remote Sensing
- Spectroscopy
Background:
- Accurate measurement of atmospheric water vapor is crucial for understanding weather patterns and climate.
- Traditional methods like radio-soundings have limitations in temporal and spatial resolution.
- Lidar technology offers a promising alternative for high-resolution atmospheric profiling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a novel Raman-lidar system specifically designed for measuring water vapor profiles.
- To evaluate the system's performance, accuracy, and vertical resolution in the atmospheric boundary layer.
- To demonstrate the system's application in analyzing the dynamic height-time structure of water vapor.
Main Methods:
- Development and deployment of a Raman-lidar system utilizing a frequency-doubled ruby laser.
- Digitization and computer processing of Raman returns using a multichannel analyzer.
- Comparison of lidar-derived water vapor profiles with meteorological radio-soundings to validate measurements.
Main Results:
- Successful acquisition of water vapor profiles up to 1800 meters with a vertical resolution of 30 meters.
- Achieved measurement accuracy of approximately 15% at a height of 1000 meters.
- Demonstrated the system's capability to capture the height-time structure of water vapor through successive profiles.
Conclusions:
- The developed Raman-lidar system is a valid and effective tool for profiling atmospheric water vapor.
- The system provides high-resolution data suitable for studying atmospheric boundary layer dynamics.
- Raman-lidar technology offers significant potential for advancing atmospheric research and monitoring.
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