Abstract

The spectral reflectance, namely the fraction of the incident radiation flux reflected at a given wavelength, is an intrinsic characteristic of each natural or artificial surface. It seemed therefore interesting to investigate the potential of multiwavelength lidars in target identification by means of a spectral reflectance analysis; because of its wavelength agility the CO₂ laser is a very attractive one for this kind of analysis. The aim of this paper is to present the results of spectral reflectance measurements of relevant target surface materials at the CO₂ laser wavelengths in order to forecast the performances of a differential reflectance lidar.

© 1987 Optical Society of America