Diode-Laser-Based Doppler Wind Lidar for Vertical Wind Profiling

用于天气预报的数值模式在很大程度上依赖于对大气初始条件的观测来提供准确的预测。对于短期预报来说，及时和密集地观测低层大气是很重要的。该项目旨在通过开发一种仪器来填补目前的观测空白，该仪器可以对最接近地球表面的大气层中的垂直风进行连续的、无人值勤的测量。除了通过增强预测对社会的潜在影响外，该奖项还将为光学遥感的学生提供教育和培训机会。该项目旨在开发基于二极管激光（DLB）的双边缘直接探测多普勒激光雷达原型，用于对流层下层的垂直风廓线。这一发展代表了通过激光雷达提供一系列测量的下一步，首先是成功完成了用于水蒸气的微脉冲差分吸收激光雷达（MPD）网络，并正在进行升级，以提供温度遥感。在该项目中，研究团队将开发并演示DLB多普勒风激光雷达仪器获取垂直风速的能力。该项目的初始阶段是进行建模研究，研究在光学接收器中使用标准子和干涉仪的性能权衡。然后，激光雷达的建造将开始，完成激光稳定方案，激光发射器的建造，温度稳定支架的设计和加工，以及激光雷达接收器的组装。软件开发将包括修改当前的数据采集程序和完成风速检索算法。然后，该系统将根据其他垂直风的观测结果进行测试。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Numerical models for weather forecasting rely heavily on observations of the initial conditions of the atmosphere to provide accurate projections. For shorter-term forecasts, it is important to have timely and dense observations of the lower atmosphere. This project intends to fill in a current observational gap by developing an instrument that can provide continuous, unattended measurements of the vertical wind in the layer of the atmosphere closest to the Earth’s surface. In addition to the potential impact on society through enhanced forecasting, this award will provide education and training opportunities for students in optical remote sensing.This project is for the development of a prototype diode-laser-based (DLB) dual-edge direct detection Doppler lidar for vertical wind profiling in the lower troposphere. This development would represent a next step in providing a range of measurements via lidar that began with the successful completion of the MicroPulse Differential absorption lidar (MPD) network for water vapor and the ongoing upgrade to provide remote sensing of temperature. In this project, the research team will develop and demonstrate a DLB Doppler wind lidar instrument’s capability to retrieve vertical wind velocity. The initial phase of the project is to conduct a modeling study that looks at the performance tradeoffs of using etalons and interferometers in the optical receiver. The construction of the lidar will then commence, with the completion of a laser stabilization scheme, the construction of the laser transmitter, design and machining of the temperature-stabilized mounts, and assembling of the lidar receiver. Software development will consist of modifying the current data acquisition program and completing the wind velocity retrieval algorithm. The system would then be tested against other observations of vertical wind.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.