Double-edge molecular measurement of lidar wind profiles at 355 nm

We built a direct-detection Doppler lidar based on the double-edge molecular technique and made the what we believe to be the first molecular-based wind measurements using the eye-safe 355-nm wavelength. Three etalon bandpasses are obtained with step etalons on a single pair of etalon plates. We eliminate long-term frequency drift of the laser and the capacitively stabilized etalon by locking the etalon to the laser frequency. We use a low-angle design to avoid polarization effects. Wind measurements of 1-2-m/s accuracy are obtained to 10-km altitude with 5 mJ of laser energy, a 750-s integration, and a 25-cm telescope, Good agreement is obtained between lidar and rawinsonde measurements. (C) 2000 Optical Society of America.