| A Raman lidar has been installed in Eureka, Nunavut (79°59'N, 85°56'W) to study the thermodynamic and radiative environments in the High Arctic, as part of the Canadian Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Change. The lidar was designed to profile tropospheric water-vapour as well as aerosols, clouds and temperature from near-ground to the lower-stratosphere. This thesis focuses on the commissioning of the lidar, as well as the water-vapour and temperature retrievals. For optimal data quality, the data acquisition hardware was characterized and the settings for normal operation established. Performance modeling of the water-vapour and temperature retrieval sensitivities as a function of specific technical considerations is presented. The results were used during the commissioning of the lidar for in situ retrieval sensitivity optimization. Finally, the calibration techniques, results and uncertainties are presented for both the water-vapour and temperature retrievals. |
