HSRL

• Full Name: High Spectral Resolution Lidar

• Short Name or Acronym: HSRL

• Measurements Provided: Calibrated aerosol backscatter cross-section and depolarization ratio; also derived estimates of cloud optical depth, aerosol optical depth, scattering cross-section, and extinction cross-section

• Manufacturer or Builder of the Instrument: Ed Eloranta, University of Wisconsin

• Operational Status:

  • requestable, ready for deployment

• General Description:

  • The "high spectral resolution" technique uses detection of molecular backscatter, with known amplitude for given atmospheric pressure and temperature, to calibrate the detected signal backscattered from aerosols. Doppler broadening extends the signal detected from molecules outside the narrow wavelength range seen for backscatter from aerosols, so the intensity in these regions outside the aerosol-backscatter wavelength can be attributed to molecular scattering.
  • The instrument mounts so that the telescope can transmit through either the upward-viewing or downward-viewing optical viewport on the GV. The orientation can be changed in flight by mechanical motion of the telescope.
  • The primary product is the intensity of backscatter as a function of distance.
  • For further information, see the RSF website links referenced in the "Documentation" section at the end of this page and, for details regarding capabilities, the presentation at the TORERO workshop by Ed Eloranta, also referenced there.

• Measurement Characteristics:

  • Overall estimate of uncertainty:
  • Response time:
  • Precision:
  • Other measurement characteristics (comments on signal/noise, bias limits, etc):

• Lead Contact: Scott Spuler, EOL

Documentation

• RSF web page describing the HSRL

• Detailed presentation of capabilities at the TORERO planning workshop