Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-1288
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-1288
25 Mar 2025
 | 25 Mar 2025

Expanding Observational Capabilities of A Diode-Laser-Based Lidar Through Shot-To-Shot Modification of Laser Pulse Characteristics

Robert A. Stillwell, Adam Karboski, Matthew Hayman, and Scott M. Spuler

Abstract. A method for expanding the observational capabilities of diode-laser-based atmospheric lidar is discussed. A straightforward test, consisting of interleaved "long'' and "short'' laser pulses, was developed to demonstrate how shot-to-shot modification of laser pulse characteristics can enhance the performance of low-power, diode-laser-based lidar and could benefit atmospheric observations. Two examples are given to demonstrate the technique. In the first, water vapor profiling is extended closer to the surface while simultaneously maintaining consistent far-range performance. These results are verified with collocated measurements. In the second example, clouds are resolved at high vertical spatial resolution with high signal-to-noise ratio. Details of the lidar instrument hardware and the method to combine the laser pulses of different durations are given.

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Journal article(s) based on this preprint

02 Sep 2025
Expanding observational capabilities of diode-laser-based lidar through shot-to-shot modification of laser pulse characteristics
Robert A. Stillwell, Adam Karboski, Matthew Hayman, and Scott M. Spuler
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 18, 4119–4130, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-4119-2025,https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-4119-2025, 2025
Short summary
Robert A. Stillwell, Adam Karboski, Matthew Hayman, and Scott M. Spuler

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-1288', Julien Totems, 22 Apr 2025
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-1288', Anonymous Referee #2, 25 Apr 2025

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-1288', Julien Totems, 22 Apr 2025
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-1288', Anonymous Referee #2, 25 Apr 2025

Peer review completion

AR: Author's response | RR: Referee report | ED: Editor decision | EF: Editorial file upload
AR by Robert Stillwell on behalf of the Authors (03 Jun 2025)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Publish as is (05 Jun 2025) by Robin Wing
AR by Robert Stillwell on behalf of the Authors (05 Jun 2025)

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

02 Sep 2025
Expanding observational capabilities of diode-laser-based lidar through shot-to-shot modification of laser pulse characteristics
Robert A. Stillwell, Adam Karboski, Matthew Hayman, and Scott M. Spuler
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 18, 4119–4130, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-4119-2025,https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-4119-2025, 2025
Short summary
Robert A. Stillwell, Adam Karboski, Matthew Hayman, and Scott M. Spuler
Robert A. Stillwell, Adam Karboski, Matthew Hayman, and Scott M. Spuler

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Short summary
A method is introduced to expand the observational capability of a diode-laser-based lidar system. This method allows the lidar transmitter to change the laser pulse characteristics from one shot to the next. We use this capability to lower the minimum altitude of observation and also used it to observe clouds with higher range resolution.
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