Document Type
Poster
Journal/Book Title/Conference
Utah State University Student Showcase for Undergraduate Research
Publication Date
4-17-2003
Abstract
The Atmospheric Lidar Observatory, on the Utah State University campus, will add a potassium lidar to its existing Rayleigh scatter system in the near future. The current system accurately measures temperatures from 40 km to 85 km in altitude.
Beginning at 80 km, a potassium layer forms due to the disintegration of meteors as they enter earth’s atmosphere. ALO plans to probe this layer using an alexandrite laser scanning a wavelength region near 770 nm, where potassium absorbs light. When the light is re-emitted, it can be measured in the same manner as scattered light in a Rayleigh lidar.
Usually, the return signal is proportional to the number density of potassium atoms. However, if the laser light is too powerful, the potassium layer will become saturated and the return signal will be weaker than it should be.
Recommended Citation
Drake, J., & Wickwar, V. (2003, April 17). Prediction of saturation effects on potassium lidar returns. Presented at the Utah State University Student Showcase for Undergraduate Research.
Comments
Presented at the Utah State University Student Showcase for Undergraduate Research. PDF of poster is available for download through link above.