Continued hardware upgrades have permitted extension of the Colorado State University (CSU) sodium fluorescence
doppler temperature/wind lidar to two-beam operation overall full diurnal cycles. The lidar utilizes the abundance of
neutral sodium atoms in the mesopause region to probe the sodium D2A transition at 3 pre-selected frequencies. Range-gated
ratios of the returns at the 3 frequencies are then used to deduce temperature and horizontal wind profiles with
different time resolutions, dependent on signal-to-noise ratio of the returns. From these measurements, atmospheric
convective and dynamic stability can be assessed via the Brunt-Vaisala frequency and gradient Richardson number. The
mesopause region is a crucial coupling region between the lower and upper atmosphere. The coupling occurs via waves which
consist of perturbations to the temperature and wind fields. Metal fluorescence lidars are the only ground-based
instrument able to simultaneously measure vertical profiles of mesopause temperatures and winds, thereby maximizing
geophysical information obtained. This paper outlines major hardware upgrades leading to the current lidar capabilities,
in addition to measurement methodology. Sample seasonal temperature and wind statistics, taken from April 2002-May
2003, will then be provided, followed by samples from a 12-month seasonal statistical study of derived parameters such
as wind shears, Brunt-Vaisala frequency, and Richardson number.
The successful completion of two-year AAS photonics technician programs requires a working knowledge of certain mathematics skills. This paper identifies those key skills and describes available learning materials - titled Mathematics for Photonics Education - developed as a review and study guide to help students strengthen their mathematics abilities. The learning materials are supported by diagnostic assessments designed to help identify areas of mathematics weakness and thereby indicate corrective procedures. The paper concludes with evidence from the field concerning the use and effectiveness of the diagnostic test and learning materials.
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