Remote Sensing of Gases Using LIDAR Resonance Scattering Techniques from the Space Shuttle.

摘要

Remote sensing from the space shuttle utilizing laser-induced fluorescence techniques was investigated. A feasibility study of LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) techniques to detect twelve gases of scientific and military interest was carried out. Evaluation of a European Space Agency LIDAR hardware design was also a task. The main emphasis was on determination of background noise, spectral transitions, atmospheric transmission and molecular absorption cross-section of the target in order to determine the minimum target concentration required to be detectable. Atomic sodium, molecular iodine and hydrogen fluoride were determined to be promising condidates for LIDAR resonance detection. Other molecules investigated, such as hydrogen chloride, xenon and krypton were considered marginally detectable at best because of their small absorption cross-sections. Lack of sufficient data prevented extended analysis of the remaining molecules. (Author)