Lidar uses laser energy in radar fashion to observe atmospheric backscattering as a function of range. The concomitant attenuation of energy along the intervening path complicates the evaluation of the observations, but even on a qualitative basis the delineation of clouds or of structure in the apparently clear air is of considerable value in operational meteorology and atmospheric research. Under certain conditions the atmosphere's optical parameters may be evaluated and related to meteorologically significant characteristics. Advanced techniques based on resonant absorption and Raman shift back- scattering are briefly noted. The current attainment and future prospects of lidar are reviewed.
SUMMARYPulsed-light techniques of probing the atmosphere have been greatly extended by employing lasers as energy sources in instruments called ' lidars.' Because of the nature of laser energy and the manner in which it is used in current and proposed systems, lidar is best discussed in terms of radar. Apart from the basic capabilities of lidar for detecting backscattering from atmospheric constituents, possibilities exist for more sophisticated techniques based on the wave nature of the energy. The basic capabilities of lidar, however, make it possible to observe the atmosphere with previously unknown resolution and sensitivity. Apart from providing new information about clouds, lidar has shown that the concentration of the particulate matter content of clear air is highly variable and that such variations can indicate the structure and motion of the clear atmosphere. These capabilities have applications in atmospheric and meteorological research and various operational activities.
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