Development of an Eyesafe Micropulse Lidar at Agnes Scott College for Atmospheric Science Research

通过这项重大研究仪器奖，艾格尼丝·斯科特学院的物理学家与佐治亚理工学院的电气工程师合作，正在开发一种用于大气研究的激光雷达系统（光探测和测距）。学生将在Agnes Scott和佐治亚理工学院的教师的指导下制作仪器，并将在几年内进行常规操作。其目标是为本科生，特别是女本科生，在最先进的设备设计和研究方面提供实践经验。科学应用包括测量云的光学特性，研究平流层气溶胶层的垂直结构和变化，以及监测位于亚特兰大的仪器现场的低空雾霾和污染。激光雷达是基于二极管泵浦固体激光器。它产生可见光（绿色），即使在近距离也对眼睛安全。该系统设计简单，适合本科教学环境。虽然研究应用是大气科学，但设计和建造仪器的经验将使学生熟悉工程，数据处理和光学遥感的要素。

Through this Major Research Instrumentation award, physicists at Agnes Scott College, in collaboration with electrical engineers at Georgia Institute of Technology, are developing a lidar system (Light Detection and Ranging) for atmospheric research. Students will construct the instrument under the supervision of faculty members from Agnes Scott and Georgia Tech, and will operate it routinely over a period of several years. The objective is to provide hands-on experience for undergraduates, in particular undergraduate women, in state-of-the-art equipment design and research. Scientific applications include measuring the optical properties of clouds, studying the vertical structure and variability of the stratospheric aerosol layer, and monitoring low-level haze and pollution over the site of the instrument in Atlanta. The lidar is based on a diode-pumped solid state laser. It produces visible (green) light and is eye-safe even at close range. It is of a simple design, appropriate for an undergraduate teaching environment. Though the research application is atmospheric science, the experience of designing and constructing the instrument will familiarize the students with elements of engineering, data processing, and optical remote sensing.