Wind measurements with 355-nm molecular Doppler lidar

A Doppler lidar system based on the molecular double-edge technique is described. The system is mounted in a modified van to permit deployment in field operations. The lidar operates with a tripled Nd:YAG laser at 355 nm, a 45-cm-aperture telescope, and a matching azimuth-over-elevation scanner to permit full sky access. Validated atmospheric wind profiles were measured from 1.8 to 35 km with a 178-m vertical resolution. The range-dependent rms deviation of the horizontal wind speed is 0.4-6 m/s. The measured wind speed and direction are in good agreement with the rawinsonde wind measurements made simultaneously from the same location.