Development of Rayleigh lidar for clear air turbulence detection

The conditions of the Clear air turbulence (CAT) in the atmosphere are due to various phenomena: gravity waves breaking, shears associated with jets, convection etc.... Therefore, we propose systematic investigation from the ground with Rayleigh backscattering lidar, in order to better characterize this atmospheric phenomenon. Rayleigh ,lidars are able to measure the vertical profile of light emitted by a pulsed laser and backscattered by atmospheric molecules. The Rayleigh signal intensity variations are proportional to the CAT. This paper describes a new technique developed at The Haute-Provence Observatory (OHP). This technique is based on using of a Rayleigh lidar to detect density at 8-12 km height and monitor the index turbulence along the laser beam.