Measurements of the Ozone Profile up to 50 KM Altitude by Differential Absorption Laser Radar

Summary

Using laser radar (lidar) and the method of differential absorption the ozone content in the atmosphere was measured up to altitudes of 50 km. The set-up was based on a XeC1 excimer laser operating at repetition rates of up to 100 Hz. The laser radiation at a wavelength of 308 nm is strongly absorbed by ozone. By stimulated Raman scattering light at 353 nm was generated, which is not absorbed by ozone and can therefore be used as reference.

Ozone profiles below 30 km are obtained in an averaging time of less than one hour with an accuracy of about one kilometer. Above 40 km, the signals have to be averaged for a whole night to obtain the same precision.