Accession Number:

ADA280716

Title:

Molecular Nitrogen Fluorescence Lidar for Remote Sensing of the Auroral Ionosphere

Descriptive Note:

Technical rept.

Corporate Author:

PHOTOMETRICS INC WOBURN MA

Personal Author(s):

• Garner, Richard
• Burka, Michael

Report Date:

1994-02-24

Pagination or Media Count:

40.0

Abstract:

We describe two types of molecular nitrogen fluorescence lidars which can be used to determine excited or ionized Nsub2 density in the ionosphere during moderate or strong aurora. The lidars can also be used for high spatial resolution diagnostics during ionospheric high power radio frequency heating experiments which are often performed when there is moderate auroral activity. The lidars excite Nsub2 already excited or ionized through impact with high energy auroral electrons. Several different configurations are considered for each lidar. The first type of lidar is a conventional fluorescence lidar which operates in the first positive system Nsub2A3Sigmasubu yields Nsub2B3 Pisubg or the first negative system Nsub2X2Sigmasubg yields Nsub2B2Sigmasubu. Several different lasers are considered. The choice of laser determines the bands for excitation and fluorescence. The second type of lidar first pumps excited Nusb2 to a higher energy state and then does conventional fluorescence lidar on that state.

Descriptors:

• *OPTICAL RADAR
• *IONOSPHERE
• *AURORAE
• HIGH POWER
• DENSITY
• DETECTION
• DETECTORS
• FLUORESCENCE
• MOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY
• RADIOFREQUENCY
• LASER INDUCED FLUORESCENCE
• LIGHT
• LASERS
• NITROGEN
• HIGH ENERGY
• ELECTRONS
• SIGNALS

Subject Categories:

• Atmospheric Physics
• Optical Detection and Detectors

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE