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

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，及时而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，该仪器能够连续、无人值守地测量最接近地球表面的大气层中的垂直风。除了加强预报对社会的潜在影响外，该奖项还将为学生提供光学遥感方面的教育和培训机会。该项目是为了开发一台用于低对流层垂直风廓线的基于半导体激光(DLB)的双边直接探测多普勒激光雷达原型。这一发展将是通过激光雷达提供一系列测量的下一步，首先是水蒸气微脉冲差分吸收激光雷达网络的成功完成，以及正在进行的提供温度遥感的升级。在这个项目中，研究小组将开发和演示DLB型多普勒风激光雷达仪器的垂直风速反演能力。该项目的初始阶段是进行建模研究，研究在光接收器中使用标准具和干涉仪的性能权衡。随后将开始建造激光雷达，完成激光稳定方案、激光发射机的建造、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反演算法。然后，该系统将与垂直风的其他观测结果进行测试。这一裁决反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势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.