The AGORA-Lab: a joint research laboratory pioneering aerosol remote sensing

The Laboratoire d’Optique Atmosphérique (LOA) at the University of Lille, in collaboration with CIMEL, focuses on studying clouds, aerosols, gases, and their interactions with radiation. It utilizes advanced remote sensing instrumentation for experiments, observations, and modeling. LOA brings its expertise to ACTRIS as the Quality Assurance and Control Lead, playing a crucial role in maintaining precise and reliable photometric aerosol measurements.

Since 1991, LOA and CIMEL have collaborated to advance and refine photometry techniques for measuring aerosols and water vapor. This collaboration was at the origin of the NASA AERONET planetary network, built with the CIMEL sun/sky/lunar photometers for over three decades. In 2005, building on this success, they extended their cooperation to include aerosol LiDAR technologies. Finally, in 2020, LOA and CIMEL established a joint research laboratory, AGORA-Lab to develop advanced remote sensing technologies, including Lidars and photometers, and to combine them for cutting-edge performance.

LiDARs provide high-resolution vertical profiles of aerosols, water vapor, and clouds, while photometers offer column-integrated aerosol optical and microphysical properties. Combining these measurements enhances calibration, quality control, and retrievals, leading to better quantification and characterization of aerosols and higher-level data products.

Since 2012, CIMEL and LOA have collaborated on developing the CE710 LiDAR, a high-power, multi-spectral Mie-Raman-Fluorescence LiDAR, spearheading significant advancements in aerosol measurement capabilities. The first version, called LILAS, was set up on the ATOLL platform (Atmospheric Observatory of Lille) and has been part of EARLINET/ACTRIS since 2015.

LOA and CIMEL continuously advance the validation and industrialization of the CE710 LiDAR range, making it a cost-efficient, modular, ACTRIS-ready solution, meaning it meets all current and future guidelines. This cutting-edge technology provides innovative features that enhance measurement accuracy, operational efficiency, and adaptability to evolving scientific needs.

CE710 LiDAR range: Key features

• Multi-wavelength emission: 355, 532 and 1064 nm.
• Up to 15 detection channels: to profile a wide range of atmospheric parameters, including aerosol extinction, backscatter, depolarization, fluorescence, water vapor, (trace gases, and temperature).
• Advanced laser technology: Uses diode or flash-lamp pumped Nd:YAG lasers with energy per pulse up to 200 mJ at 355 nm and repetition rate up to 200 Hz.
• Depolarization capability: Measures linear depolarization ratios at multiple wavelengths to address particle shape/morphology.
• Fluorescence detection: Provides additional vertically resolved information to improve aerosol typing.
• Customizable configurations: The modular design allows adaptation to initial and evolving research objectives.
• Robust and transportable design: Facilitates installation, inside or outside with optional thermal enclosure.
• Data Processing: Includes AUSTRAL software for real-time visualization and basic interpretation of measurement.

Key benefits of the CE710 LiDARs for the ACTRIS community

• Enhanced data quality: The CE710 meets all the requirements of the stringent ACTRIS Quality Assurance guidelines, that ensure high measurement precision and reliability and are a prerequisite for data certification by ACTRIS.
• Comprehensive aerosol profiling: The multi-channel design allows detailed characterization of aerosol optical and microphysical properties, providing valuable inputs for atmospheric models.
• Integrated calibration tools: The built-in remote control and calibration functions enable operators to consistently perform standardized quality control operations over time.
• Advanced analysis capabilities: The AUSTRAL software offers real-time data processing and visualization, enabling quick assessment of atmospheric conditions and facilitating advanced research and collaborative projects.
• Future-Proof Design: The modular architecture supports future upgrades, allowing the system to adapt to evolving scientific requirements and technological advancements.

For more information on the CE710 LiDAR range, contact CIMEL at cimel@cimel.fr and visit our website at www.cimel.fr