Abstract

A differential absorption lidar (DIAL) using a Q-switched CO₂ laser and a heterodyne receiver has been developed. The DIAL system is highly automated with computer-controlled laser-line selection and signal processing. The transmitter operates at a pulse-repetition frequency of 20 kHz and has an average output power of 1.8 W. A wideband HgCdTe detector is used together with a high speed adding buffer to detect the return signals. The system has been used in a field experiment to monitor ethylene emission from a petrochemical factory.

© 1981 Optical Society of America

Experimental comparison of heterodyne and direct detection for pulsed differential absorption CO₂ lidar

D. K. Killinger, N. Menyuk, and W. E. DeFeo
Appl. Opt. 22(5) 682-689 (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)

Use of CO and CO₂ Lasers to Detect Pollutants in the Atmosphere

R. T. Menzies
Appl. Opt. 10(7) 1532-1538 (1971)

Imaging Q-switched CO₂ laser radar with heterodyne detection: design and evaluation

Henrik Ahlberg, Stefan Lundqvist, Dietmar Letalick, Ingmar Renhorn, and Ove Steinvall
Appl. Opt. 25(17) 2891-2898 (1986)

Differential backscatter from the atmospheric aerosol: the implications for IR differential absorption lidar

John C. Petheram
Appl. Opt. 20(22) 3941-3946 (1981)