Upendra N. Singh

MS 433, Systems Engineering Directorate, NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA 23681, USA

 

During the last two decades, researchers at NASA Langley Research Centers have been developing 2-micron laser technology for wind measurement. We present an overview and history of 2-micron laser transmitter development at NASA Langley Research Center for coherent-detection lidar profiling of winds. The novel high-energy, 2-micron, Ho:Tm:LuLiF laser technology is employed by NASA Langley for future global coherent Doppler lidar winds measurement . The 250 mJ, 10 Hz laser has been incorporated into a compact ground based transceiver that was also designed for future aircraft flight. Ground-based wind profiles made with this transceiver will be presented. NASA Langley is currently funded to build a complete Doppler lidar system using this transceiver for the DC-8 and potentially WB-57 aircraft. The WB-57 flights will present a more severe environment and will require autonomous operation of the lidar system. The DC-8 lidar system is a likely component of future NASA hurricane research. It will include real-time data processing and display, as well as full data archiving.