Work

Differential absorption emulation for systematic-error characterization in a range-resolved coherent lidar

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Differential absorption lidar (DIAL) is a key remote-sensing technique for atmospheric trace-gas measurements. Power-dependent instrumental errors are difficult to separate and quantify under atmospheric speckle and long averaging times. Here we report an in-fiber differential-absorption optical depth (DAOD) emulation method for systematic-error characterization in DIALs based on a polarization-maintaining recirculating fiber delay-line with distributed polarization-mode coupling. The method imposes a common, range-resolved emulated DAOD with a controlled return-power gradient, enabling rapid, repeatable analysis of power-dependent errors. We demonstrate the approach in DIAL and observe signal-level-dependent DAOD deviations of up to ±0.01, with a precision down to 5 × 10 −4 at 3 Hz.

Source: Optics Express

DOI: 10.1364/oe.610271

Authors: Nikita Kikilich, Aarni Akkala, Juha Toivonen

Language: English

Topic: Spectroscopy and Laser Applications

Subfield: Spectroscopy

Field: Chemistry

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,270

Funder: Academy of Finland

Awards: G6602432781, Photonics Research and Innovation, Photonics Research and Innovation