Lidar studies of molecular in the thermosphere

Details Lidar studies of molecular in the thermosphere Lidar studies of molecular in the thermosphere

Dec 2011

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2011agufmsa41a1839c&link_type=abstract

American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2011, abstract #SA41A-1839

Physics

Plasma Physics

[0317] Atmospheric Composition And Structure / Chemical Kinetic And Photochemical Properties, [2407] Ionosphere / Auroral Ionosphere, [7894] Space Plasma Physics / Instruments And Techniques

Scientific paper

Laser spectroscopy provides a unique tool for supporting range-resolved measurements of the energy distributions of atoms and molecules in the atmosphere. Lidar systems have been developed to study the Boltzmann distribution of iron atoms and provided temperature measurements of the mesosphere and lower thermosphere. More recently, an iron lidar system has revealed the presence of significantly excited populations of iron atoms in the E-region during auroral activity. In this paper we present analysis of a system for probing aurorally excited nitrogen molecules in the thermosphere. We review the spectroscopy of nitrogen and the where the rich set of vibrational-rotational energy levels allow investigation over a wider range of energies than iron. We simulate the performance of a molecular nitrogen lidar and review the use of current laser technologies in realizing such a system. We discuss the potential of the lidar to address studies of the auroral impact on the energetics and composition of the thermosphere and the contribution to studies of nitrogen-ozone interactions.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Lidar studies of molecular in the thermosphere does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Lidar studies of molecular in the thermosphere, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Lidar studies of molecular in the thermosphere will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-874540