LIDAR (LIght Detection And Ranging) is similar to RADAR, using electromagnetic waves in the visible or near-visible spectrum to remotely investigate properties of a medium.

There are several types of Lidar:
                         DIAL Lidar (Differential Absorption Lidar)
                         Flourescence Lidar
                         Mie (Aerosol) Lidar
                         Raman Lidar
                         Rayleigh Lidar

CSU LIDAR is Na flourescence Lidar, which can be used to determine Na density, temperature, zonal wind and meridional wind in the mesopause region of the atmosphere.