LIDAR at Arecibo Observatory and The Puerto Rico

LIDAR at Arecibo Observatory and The Puerto Rico Photonics Institute Jonathan Friedman Shikha Raizada Craig Tepley Raul Garcia Freddy Perez and Joseph Serrano Arecibo Observatory – 31 May 2013

What is LIDAR? Arecibo Observatory – 31 May 2013

Why Different Colors? Arecibo Observatory – 31 May 2013

Atmospheric Structure and LIDAR Meteor Region Arecibo Observatory – 31 May 2013

What is the added value of lidar for Arecibo Observatory? • The ISR is sensitive to ions • The lidar is sensitive to neutral atoms and molecules, and one specific ion can be studied – Ca+ • Airglow can study specific height ranges, lidar can probe inside and outside those ranges. • Under certain circumstances, lidar and radar, lidar and airglow, or all three can study the same parameters. This allows confirmation (or not) of measurements. Arecibo Observatory – 31 May 2013

What do we study with lidar? • • • Atmospheric Dynamics Atmospheric Chemistry Global Change Sun-Earth Interactions Also … – Sahara dust – Cirrus clouds – Water vapor Arecibo Observatory – 31 May 2013

Tepley et al. , 2003 K LIDAR Electrons Radar Ca+ LIDAR Simultaneous Lidar and Radar Observations from 2002 11 -12 June 2002 12 -13 June 2002 14 -15 June 2002

Temperatures, Neutral, and Ions Delgado et al. , 2012

The Puerto Rico Photonics Institute • The only center for photonics research, development, education and training in Puerto Rico. • A magnet for industry • A partner for research and education Arecibo Observatory – 31 May 2013

What is Photonics • Photonics is the manipulation of light for technology development, science, and other applications. • It is used in Communications, navigation, displays, remote sensing, biotech, medical devices, defense, security, energy, astronomy, space weather, computing, lighting, materials processing, environment, transportation, entertainment, computer-aided design… Arecibo Observatory – 31 May 2013

What tools does Photonics Employ? • • • Lasers of all types (from DVD players to welding) Fiber optics Sensors, such as CCDs (a gift from astronomy) Electronics, to connect optical signals to devices Optical components (lenses, mirrors, etc. ) Arecibo Observatory – 31 May 2013

Photonics as a Career • Fast-growing technologies ⇒ Workforce needs • Fascinating work ⇒ Lasers, sensors, metamaterials, holograms, fibers, spectrum generation … • High salaries ⇒ Orlando, FL photonics companies pay >$40 k/year for technicians with AAS degrees & little experience Arecibo Observatory – 31 May 2013

What is the Puerto Rico Photonics Institute (PRPI)? • The only center for photonics research, development, education and training in Puerto Rico. • A magnet for industry • A partner for research and education • Links: http: //prpi. suagm. edu • http: //www. facebook. com/PRPhotonics • Twitter: @PRPhotonics Arecibo Observatory – 31 May 2013

Education and Training • • Certificates Associate Degrees Master’s Degrees Lasers, Fibers, Laser Gyros, Spectroscopy, Optical Design, Remote Sensing • All courses will be taught in English • All degrees and certificates will require research participation Arecibo Observatory – 31 May 2013

Research • Current – Remote Sensing ⇒ LIDAR at Arecibo, elsewhere – Aerospace Photonics ⇒ Laser gyroscopes for navigation and sensors • Future – Space Weather ⇒ Monitoring stations, prediction center – High power lasers – Biophotonics ⇒ A hot field. We will look to add this our research portfolio. –… Arecibo Observatory – 31 May 2013

PRPI is supported by grants from … • SUAGM $1. 5 M • The Puerto Rico Science, Research, and Technology Trust $210 K • The Puerto Rico Industrial Development Company $273 K • MIT Draper Laboratory $65 K ($130 K) • The National Science Foundation $660 K Arecibo Observatory – 31 May 2013

Photo: J. Friedman, Arecibo Photo ©Tachi Laboratory, U. Tokyo http: //prpi. suagm. edu http: //www. facebook. com/PRPhotonics Photo: Chris Gunn Arecibo Observatory – 31 May 2013 Twitter: @PRPhotonics