LASE measurements of water vapor, aerosol, and clouds for atmospheric science investigations

The lidar atmospheric sensing experiment (LASE) system was developed at the NASA Langley Research Center to measure atmospheric water vapor, aerosols, and clouds from aircraft. Examples of LASE measurements during field experiments and their application to atmospheric science investigations are presented in this paper. LASE is a compact and highly engineered DIAL system that has demonstrated autonomous operation from a high-altitude aircraft as a precursor to a space-borne DIAL system. The laser system consists of a double-pulsed Ti:sapphire laser that operates in the 815-nm absorption band of water vapor and is pumped by a frequency doubled Nd:YAG laser.