Performance simulation of a long-range multi-channel LiDAR for environmental pollution monitoring

Long-range detection LiDAR is a promising tool for online air quality monitoring in atmospheric research. Monitoring from a distance enables wide area coverage, allowing for the tracking of all changes and the increase of available response time compared with point detection methods. Here, we introduce a multi-channel laser-induced fluorescence LiDAR, achieving remote detection of environmental pollution and identification of organic pollutants based on scattering and fluorescence. A mathematical and physical model that encompasses the entire process of laser transmission in the atmosphere, interactions between aerosol particles and laser light, and the analysis of received echo signals is presented. Followed by a performance simulation and evaluation that takes into account the maximum detection distance. The results discussed herein can serve as a reference for future application of LiDAR in monitoring of environmental pollution.