New Lidar Laser Configuration for Earth Science Measurements

In this STTR Phase 1 program, Fibertek successfully developed and demonstrated a breadboard version of a pulsed fiber laser capable of high-spectral resolution lidar (HSRL) measurements. This was installed in the Lidar Lab. at the Univ. of Maryland, Baltimore county (UMBC). Lidar integration, calibration and validation was successfully performed, leading to the demonstration of direct backscatter measurements up to 10km atmospheric height, and HSRL measurement of the atmospheric boundary layer aerosol. Such measurements compared very well to the co-located lidar measurements conducted via the ELF and MPLNET lidar systems.For the STTR Phase 2 program, Fibertek and UMBC propose to mature this technology platform, to develop, test, deliver and demonstrate a completed standalone HSRL lidar system capable continuos lidar measurement. The HSRL lidar transmitter sub-system can be also used for airborne HSRL missions, and the design is both power-scalable and compatible with a qualification roadmap, for future space-based HSRL missions.