Airborne DIAL System for Remote Tropospheric Sensing

Abstract

Spatial distribution of gases and of aerosols measured. Airborne DIAL system uses two frequency-doubled Nd:YAG lasers and mounted in NASA Wallops Electra aircraft. Multipurpose airborne differential absorption lidar (DIAL) system, developed at Langley Research Center, remotely measures profiles of various gases and aerosols in diverse atmospheric investigations. Capability to rapidly determine spatial distribution of gases such as ozone, water vapor, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide and to measure simultaneously distribution of aerosols at several laser wavelengths provides opportunity for developing extensive data base for examining complex interaction of atmospheric dynamics and chemistry.