Laser Radar (LIDAR) for Mapping Aerosol Structure

Abstract

This paper describes a third‐generation experimental Q‐switched, ruby laser radar or lidar useful for air pollution mapping and meteorological studies. This system differs from its predecessors in that it incorporates (1) automatic inverse‐range‐squared receiver gain compensation, (2) coaxial transmitter and receiver optics, (3) automatic scanning and pulsing at equal angle increments or time intervals for fixed operation, and at equal distances traveled for mobile operation, and (4) video disk storage and instant replay of scan sequences. Details of these improvements are included. Photographs of typical displays are also included to illustrate atmospheric returns recorded during range‐height mapping of a smoke plume from an industrial plant, showing a cross section of the plume's structure; plan position mapping of the effluents from several industrial plants, indicating those emitting particulates; and distance‐height mapping, showing differences in pollution and changes in the height of the inversion layer obtained while driving through a city.