Abstract

The detection and cross-sectional mapping of submerged scattering layers during field tests with the NASA Airborne Oceanographic Lidar (AOL) are reported. During these flights, the AOL was operated in a temporal-resolution mode and was configured with a 300 mJ/pulse Nd:YAG laser with an output wavelength of 532 nm. Results obtained under night conditions are shown for earlier field tests conducted in 1985, in which the sensor was operated with a linear photomultiplier tube. Recent engineering changes to the AOL, which were made since these earlier flights, are discussed. These improvements include the installation of a gated photomultiplier tube and modifications to the optical train of the sensor, such as the addition of a spatial filter in the primary focal plane of the receiver telescope and the widening of the field-of-view of the sensor.

© 1991 Optical Society of America