Lidar: A new atmospheric probe

Abstract

Pulsed‐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. Copyright © 1966 Royal Meteorological Society