High-spectral-resolution fluorescence light detection and ranging for mesospheric sodium temperature measurements

The principle and practice of narrow-band light detection and ranging (lidar) for temperature measurements are discussed, with emphasis on a new two-frequency technique for measuring mesospheric Na temperature and density profiles. The uniqueness of this narrow-band lidar lies in the transmitter whose line-shape function can be measured directly. The frequency of the laser output can be monitored simultaneously during data acquisition with Doppler-free fluorescence spectroscopy by using a laboratory Na cell. These measurement techniques along with the procedures for data analysis are described in detail. At present the absolute temperature accuracy at the Na layer peak is +/-3 K (+/-4 K) with a vertical resolution of 1 km and an integration period of 5 min (2.5 min). Potential applications and furtherimprovements in this lidar technique are also discussed.