Development of a CCD Camera Based Lidar for Measurement of Boundary Layer Aerosols

Central Connecticut State University, New Britain CT

Investigators

Abstract

This project under the Major Research Instrumentation program involves developing a new generation of bistatic light detection and ranging (lidar) instruments using current CCD digital camera technology. This advance offers an advantage over more traditional coaxial or collinear lidar systems in that one can derive a vertical profile through the atmosphere. Such instruments can be utilized to profile aerosols and fine particles within the ambient atmosphere leading to improving our understanding of atmospheric aerosol properties and dynamic behavior in the planetary boundary layer. By collaboration between Central Connecticut State University and the NOAA/Climate Monitoring and Diagnostics Laboratory investigators will develop two such instruments and evaluate their performance in both clean and polluted environments. Results will have broad impact in refining the importance of atmospheric aerosols on human health, visibility impairment, radiative forcing and global climate. Broader impacts on education and infrastructure include the involvement of an early-career female Principal Investigator directing the project and opportunities for undergraduate student research experience under her tutelage. Further, the instrumentation will enhance substantially the research capability and infrastructure of environmental science research at a non-Ph.D. granting institution.