Experimental Estimation of Raman Lidar Sensitivity in the Middle UV

The experimental results of remote detection of vapors of some atmospheric chemical compounds using a Raman lidar system with a narrow-line excimer KrF laser and a multichannel spectral analyzer, based on a diffraction spectrograph and an intensified CCD camera, are presented. The system sensitivity is estimated for a sounding range of 6-10 m. Using additional means for suppressing the intense Raman bands of N-2 and O-2 molecules, a detection threshold of 1 ppm is reached. Base rovibrational Raman bands of oxygen and nitrogen and their first overtones are observed during experiments on noise level estimation and Raman spectra recording in the atmosphere. The absence of overlapping of fluorescence and Raman signals is confirmed experimentally.