Lidar equation analysis allowing for target lifetime, laser pulse duration, and detector integration period

A detailed study of the lidar equation has been made for both scattering and fluorescent targets. Allowance has been made for the effects of finite excited state lifetime, optical depth, laser pulse duration, detector integration period, and laser pulse shape. Analytical solutions have been obtained, and graphical solutions are also presented to aid in evaluating the magnitude of the correction factor appropriate to several cases of interest.