Abstract

The Global Backscatter Experiment (GLOBE) was intended to provide data on prevailing values of atmospheric backscatter cross section. The primary intent was predicting the performance of space borne lidar systems, most notably the Laser Atmospheric Wind Sounder (LAWS) for EOS. A second and related goal was to understand the source and characteristics of atmospheric aerosol particles. For remote ocean locations, and the Southern hemisphere in general, a significant lack of knowledge exists. The major components of the experiment were flight surveys throughout the Pacific region by the NASA DC-8 aircraft. A lidar system was operated on the missions to obtain aerosol backscatter cross section at the fundamental and doubled Nd:YAG laser wavelengths of 1.064 an 0.532 µm and, in addition, at a wavelength of 1.54 µm. The system was the first operational lidar at the one-and-a-half micron wavelength region. Coherent doppler lidar at near IR wavelengths is currently under development. Advantages of one-and-a-half micron lidar is eye safe operation and increased sensitivity to aerosol characteristics. The GLOBE flights were carried out in November 1989 and May-June 1990. In this paper we will discuss measurement techniques and initial results.

© 1991 Optical Society of America