Development of the Hampton University Lidar System and the Realm Lidar Network

Lidar offers a plethora of information on atmospheric aerosols and chemical constituents. However, lidar systems typically work in vacuums, applied to specific applications, such as validation efforts, and with little collaboration with other institutions. In order to alleviate these limitations, the Hampton University (HU) lidar has made steps to join the CREST Lidar Network (originally the REALM lidar network) and greatly increase its measurement capabilities. Frequent, coincident measurements with the CALIPSO lidar are made with the aid of an orbital overpass predictor. Meanwhile, regular measurements of water vapor mixing ratio over Hampton University using a rotational Raman technique have been added to the lidar’s repertoire. Furthermore, strides toward adding rotational Raman temperature sensing have been taken as well. The Hampton University lidar system aims to gather information on the development, motion, and interaction of aerosol, water vapor, and cloud systems to better describe the atmospheric system as a whole.