New lidar systems based on UV-tunable solid state lasers (Ce:LiSAF)

We present the first lidar/DIAL system based on a UV-vibronic laser. A self-developed Ce:LiSAF laser was pumped by a quadrupled Nd:YAG and provided high pulse energy (5 mJ at 10 Hz), very high slope efficiency (33%), and a tuning range from 284 nm to 299 nm. The first test results of this frequency-agile Ce:LiSAF based Lidar system are presented here in the form of simultaneous measurements of SO2 and O3 concentration profiles. Potentials of other Cerium-doped materials for Lidar applications are discussed.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.