Implementation of a Lidar system and its usage in characterization of atmospheric column

Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) is a recent remote sensing system which has been gradually expanding as a network among the countries actively concerned about the atmospheric contaminants, earth radiation budget, rain variations, clean air index, etc. In this work, the design of a typical Lidar, ground based system for three wavelengths is explained. Essential parameters for the atmospheric characterizations such as Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD), Angstrom coefficient (A), and Aerosol Size Distribution (ASD) are explored and the obtained results are discussed. These parameters have been calculated and plotted based on three Lidar system wavelengths of 355, 532, and 1064 nm using the data obtained from Lidar in the Western part of Puerto Rico (location of UPRM Lidar system). The relationship between the essential parameters presented by the plots and the atmospheric behavior is explained.