Accession Number:

AD0769732

Title:

Remote Sensing of Atmospheric Methane Using an Erbium/YAG Laser: a Feasibility Study.

Descriptive Note:

Research and development technical rept.,

Corporate Author:

AEROSPACE CORP EL SEGUNDO CALIF SPECIAL PROJECTS

Personal Author(s):

• White,Kenneth O.
• Wade,Gerald T.

Report Date:

1973-11-01

Pagination or Media Count:

27.0

Abstract:

A research program is underway to determine the feasibility of a remote sensing scheme for the detection of methane based on a coincidence between the emission of the erbiumYAG laser and a methane absorption line occurring at 1644.9 nm. Two remote sensing techniques are being considered the differential absorption transmission method and the differential absorption lidar technique. The research program consists of an experimental part to determine the spectral line parameters, and a theoretical part to determine the performance that could be expected from a remote sensing system. The paper reports results of calculations, using the best available data, made to determine the performance that could be expected with the above two techniques. These results indicate that both techniques are feasible with actual performance determined by the atmospheric visibility conditions and the exact value of the absorption coefficient of the methane absorption line. Modified author abstract

Descriptors:

• *REMOTE DETECTORS
• *GAS DETECTORS
• METHANE
• EARTH ATMOSPHERE
• YTTRIUM ALUMINUM GARNET
• ERBIUM
• OPTICAL RADAR
• ABSORPTION COEFFICIENTS

Subject Categories:

• Atmospheric Physics
• Physical Chemistry

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE