Recently, we successfully demonstrated a new compact and robust ozone DIAL lidar for smaller aircraft such as the NASA B200 and the ER-2 high-altitude aircraft. This is the first NASA airborne lidar ...to incorporate advanced solid-state lasers to produce the required power at the required ultraviolet wavelengths, and is compact and robust enough to operate nearly autonomously on the high-altitude ER-2 aircraft. This technology development resulted in the first new NASA airborne ozone DIAL instrument in more than 15 years. The combined ozone, aerosol, and clouds measurements provide valuable information on the chemistry, radiation, and dynamics of the atmosphere. In particular, from the ER-2 it offers a unique capability to study the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere.
A 2-μm backscatter lidar system has been developed by utilizing tunable pulsed laser and infrared phototransistor for the transmitter and the receiver, respectively. To validate the system, the 2-μm ...atmospheric backscatter profiles were compared to profiles obtained at 1 and 0.5 μm using avalanche photodiode and photomultiplier tube, respectively. Consequently, a methodology is proposed to compare the performance of different lidar systems operating at different wavelengths through various detection technologies. The methodology is based on extracting the system equivalent detectivity and comparing it to that of the detectors, as well as the ideal background detectivity. Besides, the 2-μm system capability for atmospheric CO 2 temporal profiling using the differential absorption lidar (DIAL) technique was demonstrated. This was achieved by tuning the laser at slightly different wavelengths around the CO 2 R22 absorption line in the 2.05-μm band. CO 2 temporal profiles were also compared to in situ measurements. Preliminary results indicated average mixing ratios close to 390 ppm in the atmospheric boundary layer with 3.0% precision. The development of this system is an initial step for developing a high-resolution, high-precision direct-detection atmospheric CO 2 DIAL system. A successful development of this system would be a valuable tool in obtaining and validating global atmospheric CO 2 measurements.
Airborne differential absorption lidar (DIAL) offers a uniquely capable solution to the problem of measuring water vapor (WV) with high precision, accuracy, and resolution throughout the troposphere ...and lower stratosphere. The High Altitude Lidar Observatory (HALO) airborne WV DIAL was recently developed at NASA Langley Research Center and was first deployed in 2019. It uses four wavelengths near 935 nm to achieve sensitivity over a wide dynamic range and simultaneously employs 1064 nm backscatter and 532 nm high-spectral-resolution lidar (HSRL) measurements for aerosol and cloud profiling. A key component of the WV retrieval framework is flexibly trading resolution for precision to achieve optimal datasets for scientific objectives across scales. An approach to retrieving WV in the lowest few hundred meters of the atmosphere using the strong surface return signal is also presented.
The NASA Langley Research Center High Altitude Lidar Observatory (HALO) is a multi-functional and modular lidar developed to
address the observational needs of NASA's weather, climate, carbon cycle,
...and atmospheric composition focus areas. HALO measures atmospheric H2O
mixing ratios, CH4 mole fractions, and aerosol/cloud optical properties using the differential absorption lidar (DIAL) and high-spectral-resolution lidar (HSRL) techniques. In 2019 HALO participated in the NASA Atmospheric Carbon and Transport – America campaign on board the NASA C-130 to complement a suite of greenhouse gas in situ sensors and provide, for the first time, simultaneous measurements of column CH4 and aerosol/cloud profiles. HALO operated in 18 of 19 science flights where the DIAL and
integrated path differential absorption (IPDA) lidar techniques at 1645 nm were used for column and multi-layer measurements of CH4 mole fractions, and the HSRL and backscatter techniques were used at 532 and 1064 nm,
respectively, for retrievals of aerosol backscatter, extinction,
depolarization, and mixing layer heights. In this paper we present HALO's
measurement theory for the retrievals of column and multi-layer XCH4, retrieval accuracy, and precision including methods for bias correction and a comprehensive total column XCH4 validation comparison to in situ observations. Comparisons of HALO XCH4 to in situ-derived XCH4, collected during spiral ascents and descents, indicate a mean difference of 2.54 ppb and standard deviation (SD) of the differences of 16.66 ppb when employing 15 s along-track averaging (<3 km). A high correlation coefficient of R=0.9058 was observed for the 11 in situ spiral comparisons. Column XCH4 measured by HALO over regional scales covered by the ACT-America campaign is compared against in situ CH4 measurements carried out within the planetary boundary layer (PBL) from both the C-130 and B200 aircraft. Favorable correlation between the in situ point
measurements within the PBL and the remote column measurements from HALO
elucidates the sensitivity of a column-integrating lidar to CH4
variability within the PBL, where surface fluxes dominate the signal. Novel capabilities for CH4 profiling in regions of clear air using the DIAL technique are presented and validated for the first time. Additionally, profiling of CH4 is used to apportion the PBL absorption from the total column and is compared to previously reported IPDA cloud slicing techniques that estimate PBL columns using strong echoes from fair weather cumulus. The analysis presented here points towards HALO's ability to retrieve accurate and precise CH4 columns with the prospects for future multi-layer profiling in support of future suborbital campaigns.
The NASA Aerosol Cloud meTeorology Interactions oVer the western ATlantic Experiment (ACTIVATE) produced a unique dataset for research into aerosol–cloud–meteorology interactions, with applications ...extending from process-based studies to multi-scale model intercomparison and improvement as well as to remote-sensing algorithm assessments and advancements. ACTIVATE used two NASA Langley Research Center aircraft, a HU-25 Falcon and King Air, to conduct systematic and spatially coordinated flights over the northwest Atlantic Ocean, resulting in 162 joint flights and 17 other single-aircraft flights between 2020 and 2022 across all seasons. Data cover 574 and 592 cumulative flights hours for the HU-25 Falcon and King Air, respectively. The HU-25 Falcon conducted profiling at different level legs below, in, and just above boundary layer clouds (< 3 km) and obtained in situ measurements of trace gases, aerosol particles, clouds, and atmospheric state parameters. Under cloud-free conditions, the HU-25 Falcon similarly conducted profiling at different level legs within and immediately above the boundary layer. The King Air (the high-flying aircraft) flew at approximately ∼ 9 km and conducted remote sensing with a lidar and polarimeter while also launching dropsondes (785 in total). Collectively, simultaneous data from both aircraft help to characterize the same vertical column of the atmosphere. In addition to individual instrument files, data from the HU-25 Falcon aircraft are combined into “merge files” on the publicly available data archive that are created at different time resolutions of interest (e.g., 1, 5, 10, 15, 30, 60 s, or matching an individual data product's start and stop times). This paper describes the ACTIVATE flight strategy, instrument and complementary dataset products, data access and usage details, and data application notes. The data are publicly accessible through https://doi.org/10.5067/SUBORBITAL/ACTIVATE/DATA001 (ACTIVATE Science Team, 2020).
A 2- mu m backscatter lidar system has been developed by utilizing tunable pulsed laser and infrared phototransistor for the transmitter and the receiver, respectively. To validate the system, the 2- ...mu m atmospheric backscatter profiles were compared to profiles obtained at 1 and 0.5 mu m using avalanche photodiode and photomultiplier tube, respectively. Consequently, a methodology is proposed to compare the performance of different lidar systems operating at different wavelengths through various detection technologies. The methodology is based on extracting the system equivalent detectivity and comparing it to that of the detectors, as well as the ideal background detectivity. Besides, the 2- mu m system capability for atmospheric CO2 temporal profiling using the differential absorption lidar (DIAL) technique was demonstrated. This was achieved by tuning the laser at slightly different wavelengths around the CO2 R22 absorption line in the 2.05- mu m band. CO2 temporal profiles were also compared to in situ measurements. Preliminary results indicated average mixing ratios close to 390 ppm in the atmospheric boundary layer with 3.0% precision. The development of this system is an initial step for developing a high-resolution, high-precision direct-detection atmospheric CO2 DIAL system. A successful development of this system would be a valuable tool in obtaining and validating global atmospheric CO2 measurements.
The Lidar Atmospheric Sensing Experiment (LASE) on board the NASA DC-8 measured high-resolution profiles of water vapor and aerosols, and cloud distributions in 14 flights over the eastern North ...Atlantic during the NASA African Monsoon Multidisciplinary Analyses (NAMMA) field experiment. These measurements were used to study African easterly waves (AEWs), tropical cyclones (TCs), and the Saharan air layer (SAL). These LASE measurements represent the first simultaneous water vapor and aerosol lidar measurements to study the SAL and its interactions with AEWs and TCs. Three case studies were selected for detailed analysis: (i) a stratified SAL, with fine structure and layering (unlike a well-mixed SAL), (ii) a SAL with high relative humidity (RH), and (iii) an AEW surrounded by SAL dry air intrusions. Profile measurements of aerosol scattering ratios, aerosol extinction coefficients, aerosol optical thickness, water vapor mixing ratios, RH, and temperature are presented to illustrate their characteristics in the SAL, convection, and clear air regions. LASE extinction-to-backscatter ratios for the dust layers varied from 35 plus or minus 5 to 45 plus or minus 5 sr, well within the range of values determined by other lidar systems. LASE aerosol extinction and water vapor profiles are validated by comparison with onboard in situ aerosol measurements and GPS dropsonde water vapor soundings, respectively. An analysis of LASE data suggests that the SAL suppresses low-altitude convection. Midlevel convection associated with the AEW and transport are likely responsible for high water vapor content observed in the southern regions of the SAL on 20 August 2008. This interaction is responsible for the transfer of about 7 10 super(15) J (or 8 10 super(3) J m super(-2)) latent heat energy within a day to the SAL. Initial modeling studies that used LASE water vapor profiles show sensitivity to and improvements in model forecasts of an AEW.
A 2-Formula Omitted backscatter lidar system has been developed by utilizing tunable pulsed laser and infrared phototransistor for the transmitter and the receiver, respectively. To validate the ...system, the 2-Formula Omitted atmospheric backscatter profiles were compared to profiles obtained at 1 and 0.5 Formula Omitted using avalanche photodiode and photomultiplier tube, respectively. Consequently, a methodology is proposed to compare the performance of different lidar systems operating at different wavelengths through various detection technologies. The methodology is based on extracting the system equivalent detectivity and comparing it to that of the detectors, as well as the ideal background detectivity. Besides, the 2- Formula Omitted system capability for atmospheric Formula Omitted temporal profiling using the differential absorption lidar (DIAL) technique was demonstrated. This was achieved by tuning the laser at slightly different wavelengths around the Formula Omitted R22 absorption line in the 2.05-Formula Omitted band. Formula Omitted temporal profiles were also compared to in situ measurements. Preliminary results indicated average mixing ratios close to 390 ppm in the atmospheric boundary layer with 3.0% precision. The development of this system is an initial step for developing a high-resolution, high-precision direct-detection atmospheric Formula Omitted DIAL system. A successful development of this system would be a valuable tool in obtaining and validating global atmospheric Formula Omitted measurements.
Water vapor is one of the most important atmospheric trace gas species and influences radiation, climate, cloud formation, surface evaporation, precipitation, storm development, transport, dynamics, ...and chemistry. For improvements in NWP (numerical weather prediction) and climate studies, global water vapor measurements with higher accuracy and vertical resolution are needed than are currently available. Current satellite sensors are challenged to characterize the content and distribution of water vapor in the Boundary Layer (BL) and particularly near the first few hundred meters above the surface within the BL. These measurements are critically needed to infer surface evaporation rates in cloud formation and climate studies. The NASA Langley Research Center Lidar Atmospheric Sensing Experiment (LASE) system, which uses the Differential Absorption Lidar (DIAL) technique, has demonstrated the capability to provide high quality water vapor measurements in the BL and across the troposphere. A new retrieval technique is investigated to extend these DIAL water vapor measurements to the surface. This method uses signals from both atmospheric backscattering and the strong surface returns (even over low reflectivity oceanic surfaces) using multiple gain channels to cover the large signal dynamic range. Measurements can be made between broken clouds and in presence of optically thin cirrus. Examples of LASE measurements from a variety of conditions encountered during NASA hurricane field experiments over the Atlantic Ocean are presented. Comparisons of retrieved water vapor profiles from LASE near the surface with dropsonde measurements show very good agreement. This presentation also includes a discussion of the feasibility of developing space-based DIAL capability for high resolution water vapor measurements in the BL and above and an assessment of the technology needed for developing this capability.
An inexpensive lightweight ozone lidar telescope was designed, constructed and operated during an ozone lidar field campaign. This report summarizes the design parameters and performance of the ...plastic Fresnel lens telescope and shows the ozone lidar performance compared to Zemax calculations.
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