Lidar systems

Abstract

Using an unofficial taxonomy of lidar systems, selected highlights of recent developments and future plans have been provided. Generally speaking, the future applications for altimetry and three-dimensional mapping will motivate increases in coverage within a given available time frame. This will most likely come from increases in total laser transmitter output power, along with optical technology. In other lidar application areas, engineering advances will be critical. For example, advances in compactness, electrical power efficiency, autonomy, and reliability will be essential for further use in hazard detection and monitoring, as well as expansion of regional and global networks for weather, climate, atmospheric composition, and environmental monitoring. Atmospheric greenhouse gas measurements, on a global scale, present high-precision measurement challenges. Nearly 50 years after the first demonstration of the laser, many lidar system applications are still driven by laser technology advances. For example, many applications still await the development of a wider range of laser sources in infrared spectral regions that are presently underutilized. The advent of the quantum cascade laser and other “bandgap-engineered” semiconductor laser technologies, as well as fiber laser/amplifier technologies, are good examples of continuing laser technology advances.