Abstract

The differential-absorption LIDAR (DIAL) technique is frequently used for the long-range remote sensing of molecular constituents in the atmosphere. This technique usually involves the measurement of the backscattered radiation at two distinct frequencies, v and v^′; the two frequencies are chosen such that they correspond to high- and low-absorption frequencies of the molecular species being measured. The concentration of a species in the atmosphere is deduced from the relative changes in the received backscattered LIDAR radiation as the laser frequency is changed between v and v^′. The accuracy in the determination of the concentration of the species is affected by several factors. This paper will explore some of these factors and their influence on the accuracy of DIAL measurements.

© 1983 Optical Society of America