De La Salle University - Manila

LIDAR

Introduction

The invention of the laser has led to numerous applications, of which a big branch is focused on environmental monitoring. One such application is Light Detection and Ranging, which is more commonly known as LIDAR. This is analogous to the radar in the sense that they both operate on the same principles of active remote sensing, but LIDAR employs a laser beam instead of radio waves.

The use of LIDAR, it being a form of remote sensing, has a lot of advantages compared to other present methods of atmospheric studies. These advantages include non-interference with the aerosols or source of pollutants, capability of taking measurements at ground level, and the capability of measurement over large areas [Hinkley, 1976]. With these, profiles of clouds and aerosols and their movement could be monitored in a short period of time.

An important feature of LIDAR is its capability of remote monitoring of atmospheric aerosols, which are particles with sizes comparable to the wavelength of the laser used. On a local scale, aerosols are apparent because of the reduction of visibility caused by these, and aerosols can have harmful effects on human health [Dutton, 1998]. The adverse effects of air pollution to the health of humans are already well established, and action is being done globally regarding this problem. The role of LIDAR regarding this issue is to provide information on the transport and relative level of atmospheric particulate concentration in a certain location, as LIDAR is a means for rapid and economical measurement.