Observations of Wind Profile Using a Coherent Doppler Lidar at Zhongshan Station, Antarctica

Institute of Oceanographic Instrumentation, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences) Qingdao, Shandong 266001, China e-mail address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Published online: 9 April 2026

Abstract

For further study of the characteristics of Antarctic atmospheric wind-field and its spatiotemporal variations, a compact, all-fiber pulsed coherent Doppler lidar (PCDL) was deployed in January 2020 at Zhongshan Station (69.37°S, 76.37°E), Antarctica, by the 36th Chinese National Antarctic Research Expedition. The PCDL emits a laser at a wavelength of 1550 nm, with a pulse energy of 110 μJ, a repetition frequency of 10 kHz and employs a 100 mm telescope as a coaxial transmitter and receiver to collect atmospheric backscatter. A lidar container equipped with a window system is customized to house the PCDL system for long-term stable operation. It is capable of measuring continuous wind profiles in real time with a spatial resolution of 30 m and a temporal resolution of 1 min. The maximum detection range is up to 1.5 km. The comparison results between the lidar and an anemometer show a root mean square deviation (RMSD) of 0.36 m/s and 5.1° for wind speed and direction, respectively. Over 1000 hours' observation datasets have been obtained annually from 2020 to 2023, and utilized to study the atmospheric boundary layer in Antarctica. Additionally, one case of continuous observations is depicted as well.