SBIR-STTR Award

An innovative optical system with 500X higher étendu and spatial resolution will be designed for CCD-based bistatic lidar. A 100º vertical field of view is required to image the laser beam from the ground through the boundary layer, but only a few degrees are required in the horizontal direction. The proposed design is based on dividing the vertical field of view into N sectors, using 1D rastering of flat mirrors, and parallel imaging of laser scattered light from each sector onto one CCD-matrix utilizing a single objective with narrow angle of view. By employing an off-the-shelf, off-axis, parabolic mirror as an objective, chromatic aberration can be eliminated, i.e., this system can be used in a broad spectral area from IR to UV. Phase I will consist of modeling, design, and proof-of-concept breadboard experiments.

Potential Commercial Applications:
For decades, optical instruments have provided the means by which aeronomers have studied the complex processes that take place in the atmosphere. The increased sophistication of optical remote sensing techniques has rapidly advanced our knowledge about the atmosphere and brings new demands for advanced but simple optical devices. A ground-based bistatic lidar that incorporates the proposed innovative optics can find a broad application in (1) monitoring boundary layer aerosols to access the impact of anthropogenic and natural aerosols on climate; (2) monitoring spatial and temporal atmospheric aerosol profiles, which is essential for air quality and health effect studies; (3) monitoring the tropospheric ozone density and transport, as well as the chemicals that form it; (4) monitoring the water vapor density and transport, since the water vapor provides an important clue about the atmospheric dynamics; (5) understanding the physics, chemistry, radiation, and dynamics of the atmosphere by measuring and monitoring the aerosols in the boundary layer; and (6) studying and monitoring the green house global warming effect. A network of ground based bistatic lidars can be very beneficial for understanding the dynamics of the atmosphere

An innovative ground-based CLidar receiver for measuring aerosol scattering in the atmospheric boundary layer was developed and tested for proof-of-concept. It offers several orders of magnitude higher etendu and spatial resolution than existing systems, thus allowing the use of lower power/eye safe lasers. The design is based on dividing the wide 1000 vertical field of view into several sectors, using 1-D rastering of mirrors and parallel imaging of the laser scattered light from each sector onto one CCD, while employing a single narrow angle of view objective. The system is applicable to the simultaneous measurements of several laser beams to obtain spectral, spatial, and temporal information about the atmosphere. Using an off-axis parabolic mirror objective eliminates chromatic aberrations making the system employable in a broad spectral range from IR to UV. The advantages of the proposed technology are: the ability to control the dynamic range of the registered signal, the superior height resolution of 18 mm/pixel at the ground level, and 175 m/pixel at 20km altitude, low cost and simplicity. Phase II will consist of the design, development and delivery of a prototype system with automatic system feedback and self-calibration. The system will be developed to accommodate daytime operating conditions.

Potential Commercial Applications:
For decades, optical instruments have provided the means by which aeronomers have studied the complex processes that take place in the atmosphere. The increased sophistication of optical remote sensing techniques has rapidly advanced our knowledge about the atmosphere and brings new demands for advanced but simple optical devices. A ground-based bistatic lidar that incorporates the proposed innovative optics can find broad application in (1) monitoring boundary layer aerosols to asses the impact of anthropogenic and natural aerosols on climate; (2) monitoring spatial and temporal atmospheric aerosol profiles, which is essential for air quality and health effect studies; (3) monitoring the tropospheric ozone density and transport, as well as the chemicals that form it; (4) monitoring the water vapor density and transport since the water vapor provides an important clue about the atmospheric dynamics; (5) understanding the physics, chemistry, radiation, and dynamics of the atmosphere by measuring and monitoring the aerosols in the boundary layer; and (6) studying and monitoring the green house global warming effect. A network of ground-based, bistatic lidars can be very beneficial for understanding the dynamics of the atmosphere