Abstract

The ability of DIAL systems to probe deeply into the atmosphere is enhanced if the pulsed laser is capable of sequentially operating at different wavelengths, each wavelength corresponding to a different absorption cross-section of the gas of interest. Such wavelength versatility is particularly important for airborne or spacebome DIAL measurements of H₂O(v) due to its strong vertical gradient (several orders of magnitude). Strong H₂O(v) cross-sections are necessary to retrieve H₂O(v) data from high altitudes while the use of weaker cross sections enables penetration of the DIAL laser pulses to lower altitudes.

© 1995 Optical Society of America