Tunable narrow linewidth laser source for a methane lidar

A high efficiency, narrow linewidth tunable laser source is developed for greenhouse trace gas remote sensing. It features broad, continuous tuning range at 1570-1655 nm and 3291 nm with narrow linewidth (500 MHz) and high spectral purity. This laser is based on seeded optical parametric generator (OPG) technology. Several trace gas species were continuously detected for 72 hours in an open path environment. We also present our recent airborne experiment result based on this laser technology.