Clear air turbulence detection and characterisation in the delicat airborne lidar project

Abstract

We report on a development of a long-range airborne UV high spectral resolution lidar, intended for the detection and characterisation of clear air turbulence (CAT). The detection of turbulence is based on the measurement of density fluctuations associated with the movement of turbulent air masses. These density fluctuations are measured by the variations in the molecular backscatter coefficient which is determined from the lidar signal by spectrally separating it from the aerosol backscatter. After an introduction, we review the CAT detection principle and describe the lidar system design. We then present the expected performance of the system and give an overview on the planned measurement campaign.