A Raman lidar technique for measuring atmospheric temperature using pure rotational Raman spectra of N₂ and O₂ is discussed in detail. The use of adouble-grating monochromator in the lidar for isolating two portions of the pure rotational Raman spectrum (PRRS) of N₂ and O₂ and suppressing the line of aerosol light scattering is experimentally shown to be very efficient. The feasibility of the method is convincingly illustrated by the results of laboratory experiments, as well as with measurements of air temperature carried out in the atmosphere. The accuracy of temperature measurements using the ratio of intensities of two portions of PRRS of N₂ and O₂ was ~±0.74 K in laboratory experiments. The accuracy of the atmospheric temperature profile measurements using the lidar varied from 0.8 K at altitudes up to 300–400 mto, and slightly exceeded, ±1.5 K at 1-km height. Lidar temperature data are in good agreement with radiosonde data.

© 1983 Optical Society of America

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