Abstract

Mesospheric measurements were performed at Wright-Patterson AFB (latitude 39°50′ N, longitude 84°03′ W) using a lidar system based on the 100-in. collimator. This system (known as the MEGALIDAR) used a doubled Nd:YAG laser with a pulse repetition rate of 16% Hz, an energy of 300 mJ/pulse, and divergence of 0.23 mrad; and a receiver with 0.41-mrad FOV, S-20 photo-cathode PMT, and a 10-MHz, 12-bit digitizer. A mechanical shutter shielded the PMT from returns below 40-km altitude. Data were stored with an IBM PC-AT. Rayleigh backscattering from air molecules was observed on 5 nights during 6-19 Dec. 1988. A total of 96 records were observed, each one a 4-min average of 4000 shots. Derived density profiles were normalized at 40 km using point analysis profiles provided by the Air Weather Service. Further analysis included smoothing and averaging sequential records.

© 1989 Optical Society of America