Optimization of the Lidar Parameters for Atmospheric Turbulence Study

The turbulent lidar is a micro pulse dual-channel aerosol laser locator, operating on the backscattering enhancement effect (BSE). This effect forms a peak on the axis of the laser beam, therefore, when the intensity of atmospheric turbulence changes in one of the receiving channels of the lidar, a proportional change in the echo signal occurs. The second channel is necessary for normalization of the first one in order to exclude the influence of transmitter power fluctuations and scattering properties of the atmosphere along the direction of sounding. The sensitivity of lidar is largely determined by its design. The experimental and theoretical data were analyzed characterizing the peak of backscatter enhancement. A scheme of a lidar transceiver with spacing between receiving channels is considered and parameters of the optimal lidar design are determined. Calculations have shown that the optimal diameter of the transmitting-receiving aperture should be 70 mm.