The Raman LIDAR for the pre-production phase of Cherenkov Telescope Array

The ARCADE Raman lidar has been tested and validated at L'Aquila before the deployment at CTA (Cherenkov Telescope Array) North site. Some modifications have been done on the original ARCADE system to improve its performances, and an extensive programme of measurements has been performed. The Raman lidar (RL) technique is discussed with specific care to the technical constrains of RL systems, and the signal analysis, i.e., the estimation of aerosol optical depth, volume backscatter coefficient, and water vapour profiles and their significance (errors and resolution). Some final comments and conclusions are outlined.