A vertical DIM lidar for refractive index structure parameter profiles estimation in low‐layer atmosphere

Abstract

This Letter presents an experimental demonstration of a vertical differential image motion (DIM) lidar for calculating the profiles of the low-layer atmospheric refractive index structure parameters. Utilizing the differences between weighting functions, we propose a convenient approach for the realtime estimation of low-layer C n 2 profiles from DIM lidar data. This approach only requires returned fluxes as input, yet it has the intrinsic ability to capture real-time turbulence profiles. Validations against the collected observational data have shown this approach to be computationally inexpensive. The longterm comparisons with micro-thermometers indicate that in such a way vertical DIM lidars can be used for providing not only a general assessment of turbulence effects along the measurement path but turbulence profiles.