Application of Lidar to Measurement of Airborne Radon and Its Daughter Products

摘要

A literature review was undertaken to survey the data available on atmospheric aerosols and the attachment of airborne radon daughters to aerosols. A study was made to determine the possibility of using an airborne lidar system on uranium survey aircraft to measure the altitude concentration of radon and/or its daughters through the use of the fluorescence produced by direct excitation of these elements by laser radiation or the time-dependent signal resulting from the backscattering of laser radiation by atmospheric aerosols. Studies were also undertaken to determine the ability changes in the aerosol content as well as the ability to detect the presence of a temperature inversion and to measure the distance above or below an airborne platform at which the temperature inversion occurs. A review was made of the currently available laser systems that could be used in airborne applications. Recommendations are made for a possible system that could be installed on one of the aircraft currently making airborne radiometric measurements in the National Uranium Resource Evaluation Program. (ERA citation 05:025344)