Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 15, 2026
10:35
Bringing the Visible Universe into Focus with Robo-AO
Published on: February 12, 2013
Atmospheric refractive effects on coherent lidar performance at 10.6 microm.
Applied Optics
|March 11, 2010
Summary
Larger lidar transceiver apertures collect more atmospheric backscattered signal. Doubling transceiver diameter at 1 km range yields 65% more coherent signal, optimizing atmospheric monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Atmospheric Optics
- Remote Sensing Technologies
Background:
- Coherent detection in lidar systems is influenced by atmospheric refractive index inhomogeneities.
- Signal collection efficiency depends on the transceiver aperture size.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between transceiver aperture diameter and coherently detected lidar signals.
- To quantify signal changes with varying aperture sizes in atmospheric conditions.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a continuous-wave (focusing) lidar system operating at 10.6-micrometer wavelength.
- Conducted measurements over a horizontal path 2 m above ground.
- Varied target ranges from 0.6 km to 2.6 km.
Main Results:
- Observed a direct correlation between aperture diameter and collected coherent signal.
- At 1 km range under average daytime conditions, a 27 cm aperture collected approximately 65% of the signal from a 54 cm aperture.
- Signal collection efficiency increases with aperture size.
Conclusions:
- Transceiver aperture size is a critical factor for maximizing coherent signal detection in lidar.
- Optimizing aperture diameter is essential for effective atmospheric profiling and monitoring using lidar technology.
