Molecular Nitrogen Fluorescence Lidar for Remote Sensing of the Auroral Ionosphere.

摘要

We describe two types of molecular nitrogen fluorescence lidars which can be used to determine excited or ionized Nsub2 density in the ionosphere during moderate or strong aurora. The lidars can also be used for high spatial resolution diagnostics during ionospheric high power radio frequency heating experiments which are often performed when there is moderate auroral activity. The lidars excite Nsub2 already excited or ionized through impact with high energy auroral electrons. Several different configurations are considered for each lidar. The first type of lidar is a conventional fluorescence lidar which operates in the first positive system (Nsub2(A(3)Sigmasubu(+)) yields Nsub2(B(3)Pisubg)) or the first negative system (Nsub2(+)(X(2)Sigmasubg(+)) yields Nsub2(+)(B(2)Sigmasubu(+))). Several different lasers are considered. The choice of laser determines the bands for excitation and fluorescence. The second type of lidar first pumps excited Nusb2 to a higher energy state and then does conventional fluorescence lidar on that state.