| Abstract: | Lidar (Light detection and ranging) has special capabilities for
remote sensing of many different behaviours of the atmosphere. One
of the techniques which show a great deal of promise for several
applications is Raman scattering. The detecting capability,
including maximum operation range and minimum detectable gas
concentration is one of the most significant parameters for lidar
remote sensing of pollutants. In this paper, based on the new method
for evaluating the capabilities of a Raman lidar system, we present
an evaluation of detecting capability of Raman lidar for monitoring
atmospheric CO$_{2}$ in Hefei. Numerical simulations about the
influence of atmospheric conditions on lidar detecting capability
were carried out, and a conclusion can be drawn that the maximum
difference of the operation ranges caused by the weather conditions
alone can reach about 0.4 to 0.5km with a measuring precision within
30ppmv. The range of minimum detectable concentration caused by the
weather conditions alone can reach about 20 to 35 ppmv in vertical
direction for 20000 shots at a distance of 1 km on the assumption
that other parameters are kept constant. The other corresponding
parameters under different conditions are also given. The capability
of Raman lidar operated in vertical direction was found to be
superior to that operated in horizontal direction. During practical
measurement with the Raman lidar whose hardware components were
fixed, aerosol scattering extinction effect would be a significant
factor that influenced the capability of Raman lidar. This work may
be a valuable reference for lidar system designing, measurement
accuracy improving and data processing. |
