Remote Sensing of Atmospheric Chemical Contamination
Document ID: 128
Philbrick, C. Russell
Kurtz, P. H.
The Pennsylvania State University, Applied Research Laboratory, University Park, PA, U.S.A.
Presented: 36th Annual Meeting, Institute of Nuclear Materials Management
Palm Desert, California, July 9-12, 1995
Abstract
Use of LIDAR sensor systems for atmospheric characterization is becoming an established technology. At ARL/PSU, we have developed and demonstrated several systems capable of measuring water vapor profiles, aerosol distribution and temperature profiles from ground level up through the troposphere. We are currently developing a prototype system which will go aboard a Navy ship to undergo sea tests during the next year, prior to full scale deployment. This system will be used to predict radar system performance by providing real time computation of RF refractivity from profiles of temperature and water vapor for modeling of RF ducting conditions. We have examined the potential use of Raman scattering measurements to detect the spectra of several atmospheric pollution species and various chemical agents. A previous approach demonstrated for lidar measurements of atmospheric pollutants and chemical agents involved the use the SPR-DIAL technique with about sixty of the CO2 laser lines in the 10 µm region of the spectrum. An evaluation of the current techniques available for remote sensing of chemical agents has been prepared. The active lidar combined with passive optical remote sensing techniques hold great promise as the basis of a mobile sensor system for measurement of pollution episodes and for remote detection of covert manufacture and employment of chemical warfare agents.
Keywords: environmental sciences, military technology, weaponry, national defense, pollutants, remote sensing, chemical warefare agents, optical radar, real time systems, carbon dioxide, air pollution, laser, Raman effect
| Citation: | "Remote Sensing of Atmospheric Chemical Contamination", Philbrick, C. R., P. H. Kurtz, Proceedings of 36th Annual Meeting, INMM, Vol. XXIV, Institute of Nuclear Materials Management (INMM), December 1995, pp. 823 - 828, OSTI Identifier: 225375 |