LEAD-VAPOR FILTERS FOR HIGH-SPECTRAL-RESOLUTION TEMPERATURE LIDAR

The analysis of Rayleigh-scattered laser radiation with atomic-vapor f ilters used for temperature measurements is investigated. The choices for the filter material and the optimum parameter configuration for da ytime measurements are presented. In laboratory experiments the backsc attered radiation from synthetic air stimulated by a cw dye laser at 2 83 ran was analyzed with two lead-vapor cells in one oven. The effects of different parameters on the accuracy of the measurement are determ ined from both theory and experiment, and actual air-temperature measu rements are presented. Calculations for a real lidar show not only the performance, but also the limitations, of such a measurement system.