High-power and frequency-stable ultraviolet laser performance in space for the wind lidar on Aeolus

Global acquisition of atmospheric wind profiles using a spaceborne direct-detection Doppler wind lidar is being accomplished following the launch of European Space Agency's Aeolus mission. One key part of the instrument is a single-frequency, ultraviolet laser that emits nanosecond pulses into...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Optics letters 2020-03, Vol.45 (6), p.1443-1446
Main Authors: Lux, Oliver, Wernham, Denny, Bravetti, Paolo, McGoldrick, Phil, Lecrenier, Olivier, Riede, Wolfgang, D'Ottavi, Alessandro, De Sanctis, Valeria, Schillinger, Marc, Lochard, Jérémie, Marshall, Jon, Lemmerz, Christian, Weiler, Fabian, Mondin, Linda, Ciapponi, Alessandra, Kanitz, Thomas, Elfving, Anders, Parrinello, Tommaso, Reitebuch, Oliver
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Backscattering
Frequency shift
Frequency stability
Lasers
Lidar
Nanosecond pulses
Signal to noise ratio
Ultraviolet lasers
Wind profiles
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Summary:Global acquisition of atmospheric wind profiles using a spaceborne direct-detection Doppler wind lidar is being accomplished following the launch of European Space Agency's Aeolus mission. One key part of the instrument is a single-frequency, ultraviolet laser that emits nanosecond pulses into the atmosphere. High output energy and frequency stability ensure a sufficient signal-to-noise ratio of the backscatter return and an accurate determination of the Doppler frequency shift induced by the wind. This Letter discusses the design of the laser transmitter for the first Doppler wind lidar in space and its performance during the first year of the Aeolus mission, providing valuable insights for upcoming space lidar missions.
ISSN:0146-9592
1539-4794
DOI:10.1364/ol.387728