Demonstration of a high-spectral-resolution lidar based on an iodine absorption filter

A high-spectral-resolution lidar that uses an iodine absorption filter and a tunable, narrow-bandwidth Nd:YAG laser is demonstrated. Measurements of aerosol scattering cross section and optical depth are presented. The iodine absorption filter provides better performance than the Fabry–Perot etalon that it replaces.