A Compact Lidar for Aircraft Ozone Atmospheric Measurements

Researchers and the general public have expressed great concern over how human activities exacerbate pollution's deteriorating impact upon the environment. Effects such as global warming, air quality and ozone layer depletion are but a few examples that can have a dramatic effect on the quality of life worldwide. A compact lidar system for the purpose of aircraft ozone atmospheric measurements was tested and evaluated. This system will eventually be deployed for aircraft-based, and possibly unpiloted atmospheric vehicle (UAV), ozone and aerosol measurements to improve our understanding of ozone production and transport. Each of the major subsystems was characterized and from the results the subsystems were optimized for maximum operational efficiency. Furthermore, atmospheric testing was conducted by transmitting the 527-nm visible beam into the atmosphere and the backscattered results were compared to the theoretical results of the lidar equation.