Long-wave infrared multi-wavelength IPDA lidar for standoff detection of chemical warfare agents: theoretical study

We discuss and evaluate the expected performance of a tunable multi-wavelength integrated-path differential absorption lidar operating in the long-wave infrared between 7.5 and 11 µm, for standoff measurement of chemical agents. Interference issues with natural gas compounds throughout the entire 7.5-11 µm band are first discussed. Then, the study focuses on four interest species, three warfare agents, and a simulant. A performance model is derived and exploited to assess the expectable measurement precision of the lidar for these four species in the integrated-path mode within a 2 min alert time and seventeen emitted wavelengths. Measurement precisions better than the targeted sensitivity levels look reachable at the kilometer range with laser power below 100 mW. Performance optimization strategies are discussed, either by adjusting the pulse energy/pulse repetition rate for a given laser power and lidar range or by reducing the wavelength sequence in an optimal way. Finally the system's receiving operating characteristic curves are derived to describe the expected detection performance in terms of probability of false alarm rate and probability of detection.