Abstract

The development and refinement of sophisticated remote sensing techniques during the past three decades have contributed enormously to our knowledge of the atmosphere. Lidar technologies have progressed especially rapidly since the invention of the laser in 1961. Today, sophisticated systems are used to probe composition and structure throughout the atmosphere from the troposphere into the lower thermosphere and are making important contributions to several global change studies. While the recent advances in lidar technology have been impressive, the accuracy, resolution and sensitivity of many systems are still limited by signal levels.

© 1993 Optical Society of America