Diode-pumped Alexandrite laser for next generation satellite-based earth observation lidar

Strotkamp, Michael; Munk, Alexander; Jungbluth, Bernd; Hoffmann, Hans-Dieter; Höffner, J.

doi:10.1007/s12567-019-00253-z

Cited by 17 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…Furthermore, there is an impressive number of observations of mesospheric ice clouds available from satellites, which sometimes show unexpected temporal and/or spatial variations ("voids") (see Russell et al, 2009, for more details on a recent satellite mission dedicated to NLC science). Understanding the physics of NLCs is important, for example, to interpret long-term variations of layers of ice particles and their potential relation to climate change (Thomas, 1996;von Zahn, 2003;Lübken et al, 2018). Similar science questions occur regarding PSCs, which, amongst others, play a crucial role in ozone chemistry.…”

Section: Nlcs Pscs Background Aerosols and Metal Densitiesmentioning

confidence: 97%

VAHCOLI, a new concept for lidars: technical setup, science applications, and first measurements

Lübken¹,

Höffner²

2021

Atmos. Meas. Tech.

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Abstract. A new concept for a cluster of compact lidar systems named VAHCOLI (Vertical And Horizontal COverage by LIdars) is presented, which allows for the measurement of temperatures, winds, and aerosols in the middle atmosphere (∼ 10–110 km) with high temporal and vertical resolution of minutes and some tens of meters, respectively, simultaneously covering horizontal scales from a few hundred meters to several hundred kilometers (“four-dimensional coverage”). The individual lidars (“units”) being used in VAHCOLI are based on a diode-pumped alexandrite laser, which is currently designed to detect potassium (λ=770 nm), and on sophisticated laser spectroscopy measuring all relevant frequencies (seeder laser, power laser, backscattered light) with high temporal resolution (2 ms) and high spectral resolution applying Doppler-free spectroscopy. The frequency of the lasers and the narrowband filter in the receiving system are stabilized to typically 10–100 kHz, which is a factor of roughly 10−5 smaller than the Doppler-broadened Rayleigh signal. Narrowband filtering allows for the measurement of Rayleigh and/or resonance scattering separately from the aerosol (Mie) signal during both night and day. Lidars used for VAHCOLI are compact (volume: ∼ 1 m3) and multi-purpose systems which employ contemporary electronic, optical, and mechanical components. The units are designed to autonomously operate under harsh field conditions in remote locations. An error analysis with parameters of the anticipated system demonstrates that temperatures and line-of-sight winds can be measured from the lower stratosphere to the upper mesosphere with an accuracy of ±(0.1–5) K and ±(0.1–10) m s−1, respectively, increasing with altitude. We demonstrate that some crucial dynamical processes in the middle atmosphere, such as gravity waves and stratified turbulence, can be covered by VAHCOLI with sufficient temporal, vertical, and horizontal sampling and resolution. The four-dimensional capabilities of VAHCOLI allow for the performance of time-dependent analysis of the flow field, for example by employing Helmholtz decomposition, and for carrying out statistical tests regarding, for example, intermittency and helicity. The first test measurements under field conditions with a prototype lidar were performed in January 2020. The lidar operated successfully during a 6-week period (night and day) without any adjustment. The observations covered a height range of ∼ 5–100 km and demonstrated the capability and applicability of this unit for the VAHCOLI concept.

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Section: Nlcs Pscs Background Aerosols and Metal Densitiesmentioning

confidence: 97%

VAHCOLI, a new concept for lidars: technical setup, science applications, and first measurements

Lübken¹,

Höffner²

2021

Atmos. Meas. Tech.

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“…For Doppler-resonance the laser must be tunable to an atomic absorption line. We have developed a highly efficient, narrow-band diode-pumped alexandrite ring laser in cooperation with the Fraunhofer Institut for Laser Technology in Aachen (Höffner et al, 2018;Strotkamp et al, 2019). The laser head includes various subsystems such as Q-switch driver, cavity-control, power measurement, and a beam expansion telescope all 5 https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-2021-33 Preprint.…”

Section: Laser Specificationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…VAHCOLI may also be extended to other wavelengths being relevant for thermospheric or space applications (Höffner et al, 2018;Munk et al, 2018;Höffner et al, 2019). Due to its compact design and autonomous operation a VAHCOLI-unit may also be of interest for measurements from satellites (Strotkamp et al, 2019). The final aim is to further improve the VAHCOLI-units and to develop a cost-effective multi-purpose lidar where several systems may be employed at various locations, being operated quasi-autonomously.…”

Section: Outlook and Conclusionmentioning

confidence: 99%

VAHCOLI, a new concept for lidars: technical setup, science applications, and ﬁrst measurements

Lübken¹,

Höffner²

2021

Preprint

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract. A new concept for a cluster of compact lidar systems named VAHCOLI (Vertical And Horizontal COverage by LIdars) is presented which allows to measure temperatures, winds, and aerosols in the middle atmosphere (∼10–110 km) with high temporal and vertical resolution of minutes and some tens of meters, respectively, simultaneously covering horizontal scales from few hundred meters to several hundred kilometers (four-dimensional coverage). The individual lidars (units) being used in VAHCOLI are based on a diode-pumped alexandrite laser currently designed to detect potassium (λ = 770 nm), as well as on sophisticated laser spectroscopy measuring all relevant frequencies (seeder laser, power laser, backscattered light) with high temporal resolution (2 ms) and high spectral resolution applying Doppler-free spectroscopy. The frequency of the lasers and the narrow-band ﬁlter in the receiving system are stabilized to typically 10–100 kHz which is a factor of roughly 10−5 smaller than the Doppler-broadened Rayleigh signal. Narrow-band ﬁltering allows to measure Rayleigh and/or resonance scattering separately from the aerosol (Mie) signal, all during night and day. Lidars used for VAHCOLI are compact (volume: ∼1 m3) and are multi-purpose systems employing contemporary electronical, optical, and mechanical components. The units are designed to autonomously operate under harsh ﬁeld conditions at remote locations. An error analysis with parameters of the anticipated system demonstrates that temperatures and line-of-sight winds can be measured from the lower stratosphere to the upper mesosphere with an accuracy of ±(0.1–5) K and ±(0.1–10) m/s, respectively, increasing with altitude. We demonstrate that some crucial dynamical processes in the middle atmosphere, such as gravity waves and stratiﬁed turbulence, can be covered by VAHCOLI with sufﬁcient temporal/vertical/horizontal sampling and resolution. The four-dimensional capabilities of VAHCOLI allow to perform time-dependent analysis of the ﬂow ﬁeld, for example employing Helmholtz decomposition, and to carry out statistical tests regarding intermittency, helicity etc. First test measurements under ﬁeld conditions with a prototype lidar being built for VAHCOLI were performed in January 2020. The lidar operated successfully during a six week period (night and day) without any adjustment. These observations covered a height range of ∼5–100 km and demonstrate the capability and applicability of this unit for the VAHCOLI concept.

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“…However, specific space missions have not been defined yet by space agencies like ESA or NASA. Likely mission scenarios are Earth observation missions like vegetation monitoring 4 or potassium Doppler LIDAR missions 5,6 based on a frequencydoubled Alexandrite laser system. A lot of investigation is ongoing in both fields to develop Alexandrite-based laser systems, which fulfill the general laser requirements for these remote sensing types.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

GALACTIC: high performance Alexandrite crystals and coatings for high power space applications

Weßels

Unland

Kalms

et al. 2021

International Conference on Space Optics — ICSO 2020

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Spaceborne Earth observation based on laser instruments provides new technologies to monitor the atmosphere or our planet's surface. Space-qualified Alexandrite laser crystals show convincing properties as a laser-active medium in high power laser systems for space-based missions, e.g. the wavelength tunability and the excellent material properties, such as high thermal conductivity and a good breaking strength. Therefore, the Horizon 2020 project GALACTIC was initiated to realize space-qualified, high-quality coated Alexandrite crystals relying on a purely European-based supply chain. The project consortium will push the development of Alexandrite crystals and coatings within the EU from the current Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 up to TRL 6.

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Diode-pumped Alexandrite laser for next generation satellite-based earth observation lidar

Cited by 17 publications

References 32 publications

VAHCOLI, a new concept for lidars: technical setup, science applications, and first measurements

VAHCOLI, a new concept for lidars: technical setup, science applications, and first measurements

VAHCOLI, a new concept for lidars: technical setup, science applications, and ﬁrst measurements

GALACTIC: high performance Alexandrite crystals and coatings for high power space applications

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