Abstract

We describe preliminary results from a comprehensive computer model under development to guide optimization of an ultraviolet Raman lidar system for measuring daytime profiles of atmospheric water vapor. The Raman lidar technique is a leading candidate for providing the high-resolution day/night profiling of water vapor that is critical to research in global climate change. While Raman lidar is used currently to perform meteorologically important, sustained, reliable nighttime profiling of water vapor, daytime measurements present added challenges because of the difficulties inherent in detecting Raman signals against solar backgrounds.

© 1992 Optical Society of America