Photonics Seminar

The aim of FLUMIRA PhD research project is to explore the atmospheric aerosol fluorescence measurement capacity for Mie-Raman Lidar. This can be done by adding fluorescence channel to already existing lidar system. Such addition enables: i) data products of highest-quality (in terms of signal-to-noise ratio and uncertainty of retrieved aerosol optical properties, and microphysical parameters), ii) data products extended with new physical quantities by combining laser-induced fluorescence with Raman and Mie backscattering detection, the latter accounting also for polarization effects, and iii) enhancement of existing techniques for studying aerosol-cloud interactions achieved by improving accuracy and reliability of aerosol type classification, and derivation of information on aerosol hygroscopic growth.
During seminar, I will present the application of fluorescence technique done by optimising the ESA Mobile Raman Lidar (EMORAL) with new functionalities that enable to provide size-dependent aerosol information by operating at multiple wavelengths (355, 532, and 1064 nm). The Mie and Raman channels contribute three backscatter and two extinction coefficients, while the polarization capabilities indicate particle shapes. The system incorporates at 407/387 Raman channels the water vapour mixing ratio and a broadband 470 nm fluorescence channel that offers independent information that complements other data products. This allows for unique simultaneous fluorescence-water vapour functionality, making the lidar system one of the leading instruments worldwide.
The lidar offers high mobility, robustness, and user-friendly design, enabling measurements in diverse environments and weather conditions (i.e., coastal areas, peatland, rural areas, mountains). The mobility of the lidar platform offers added value in terms of the enormous flexibility of performing measurement in any reachable area and co-locating measurement with other ground-based or space observations, which can significantly improve the collected data samples. The relocation of the lidar can be achieved within ~1-2h (installation/packing).