Eye-safe visible wavelength lidar

T. W. Cooley, J. A. Reagan

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Recent technological advances on several fronts offer the possibility for relatively low-cost, eye-safe visible wavelength lidar systems for autonomous aerosol/environmental monitoring applications. In the area of lasers, diode pumped Q-switched lasers are now available at relatively low cost which offer pulse outputs of a millijoule at repetition rates upwards of 10 kHz. Next) improved silicon photodiodes and avalanche photodiodes have become available which offer high quantum efficiency detection at very low dark counts (10 to 1000 counts/sec) and which can be used in a photon counting mode for signal plus background and dark current photoelectron count rates of MHz. Finally, high-speed analog to digital converters and counters are now available at relatively low-cost which can be coupled through logic interfaces to PC's to realize the accurate, high speed data processing systems required to handle kHz level laser pulse repetition frequencies. This paper outlines the essential requirements and features of a possible lidar system which capitalizes on technical advances on several fronts. A baseline lidar system is suggested for monitoring tropospheric and stratospheric aerosols. Sensitivity to wavelength background radiation, detector characteristics and other system parameters is discussed for several simulated data sets.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationIGARSS 1992 - International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium
Subtitle of host publicationInternational Space Year: Space Remote Sensing
EditorsRuby Williamson, Tammy Stein
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Pages1693-1695
Number of pages3
ISBN (Electronic)0780301382
DOIs
StatePublished - 1992
Event12th Annual International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium, IGARSS 1992 - Houston, United States
Duration: May 26 1992May 29 1992

Publication series

NameInternational Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium (IGARSS)
Volume2

Other

Other12th Annual International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium, IGARSS 1992
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityHouston
Period5/26/925/29/92

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Computer Science Applications
  • General Earth and Planetary Sciences

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