ABSTRACT
We report on the realization of an all-fiber laser source that delivers single-frequency pulses at 1645 nm, on a linearly polarized single-mode beam, based on stimulated Raman scattering in passive fibers. The pulse energy reaches 14 µJ for a repetition rate of 20 kHz, and the spectral linewidth is 9.5 MHz for 100 ns square pulses. To the best of our knowledge, this energy is the highest reported at 1645 nm in an all-fiber laser source. Our method consists of reducing the stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) gain for the pump and signal pulses, respectively, by sweeping the optical frequency of the pump beam, and by applying a strain gradient on the amplification fiber. This compact laser source is now used in a transportable lidar system to measure simultaneously wind velocity and methane (CH4) concentration.
ABSTRACT
We report on the performances of a coherent DIAL/Doppler fiber lidar called VEGA, allowing for simultaneous measurements of methane and wind atmospheric profiles. It features a 10µJ, 200 ns, 20 kHz fiber pulsed laser emitter at 1645 nm, and it has been designed to monitor industrial methane leaks and fugitive emissions in the environment. The system performance has been assessed for range-resolved (RR) and integrated-path (IP) methane measurements in natural background conditions (i.e. ambient methane level). For RR measurements, the measured Allan deviation at τ=10 s is in the range of 3-20 ppm, depending of the aerosol load, at a distance of 150 m, with 30 m range resolution, and a beam focused around 150-200 m. For IP measurements, using a natural target at 2.2 km of distance, the Allan deviation at τ=10 s is in the range of 100-200 ppb. In both cases, deviation curves decrease as τ-1/2, up to 1000 seconds for the longest averaging time. Finally, the lidar ability to monitor an industrial methane leak is demonstrated during a field test.
