Delta-k lidar acoustic sounding of the atmosphere

A new remote sensing method for temperature sounding of the atmosphere is put forward. The method is based on the Δk-lidar technique, and it detects the modulation of atmospheric lidar backscatter induced by an acoustic wave transmitted collinearly with the lidar. The method is examined as a possible means to extend the range and versatility of atmospheric temperature profiling beyond the limits of the standard radioacoustic sounding method. Performance estimates are carried out which suggest that the method may be feasible for atmospheric temperature profiling to ranges approaching 10 km.