Laser probing of atmospheric water vapor by a resonance method

The absorption of laser radiation at a wavelength of 694.38 nm is estimated. Various spectral widths of the pulses probing the atmosphere are considered. Questions related to the interpretation of the data obtained from laser probing of the water vapor concentration along the horizontal and vertical directions in the atmosphere are discussed. The effect of a shift of the center of the emission line with respect to the center of the absorption line on the error of the reconstructed profile of the absorbing gas is estimated. The possible use of the shape of the water vapor absorption line for probing purposes is studied.