Abstract

The goal of this study was to investigate the feasibility of single-ended measurement of the total extinction coefficient using an ir lidar system. Extinction was measured using a CO₂ laser radar system at four wavelengths near 10.3 μm. The measured results agree with theoretical estimates of extinction over a wide range. Single-ended measurements of extinction appear feasible to a horizontal range of 10 km using commercially available components. The system could potentially generate extinction data in a 3-D grid, enabling one to determine ir transmission between any two points in the field.

© 1978 Optical Society of America

Measuring atmospheric scattering and extinction at 10 μm using a CO₂ lidar

O. Steinvall, G. Bolander, and T. Claesson
Appl. Opt. 22(11) 1688-1695 (1983)

Remote measurement of ethylene using a CO₂ differential-absorption lidar

E. R. Murray and J. E. van der Laan
Appl. Opt. 17(5) 814-817 (1978)

Remote measurement of HCl, CH₄, and N₂O using a single-ended chemical-laser lidar system

E. R. Murray, J. E. van der Laan, and J. G. Hawley
Appl. Opt. 15(12) 3140-3148 (1976)

Analysis of differential absorption lidar from the Space Shuttle

Ellis E. Remsberg and Larry L. Gordley
Appl. Opt. 17(4) 624-630 (1978)

Cloud extinction profile measurements by lidar using Klett’s inversion method

Walter Carnuth and Reinhold Reiter
Appl. Opt. 25(17) 2899-2907 (1986)