Pressure measurements using an airborne differential absorption lidar. Part I: Analysis of the systematic error sources

Systematic error sources that require correction when making remote airborn e measurements of the atmospheric pressure field in the lower troposphere, using an oxygen differential absorption lidar, are analyzed. A derailed ana lysis of this measurement technique is provided, which includes corrections for imprecise knowledge of the detector background level, the oxygen absor ption line parameters, and variations in the laser output energy. In additi on, the authors analyze other possible sources of systematic errors, includ ing spectral effects related to aerosol and molecular scattering, water vap or vertical distribution, interference by rotational Raman scattering, and interference by isotopic oxygen lines.