Title: NIST Develops Advanced LIDAR Technology for Accurate Greenhouse Gas Detection
Summary:
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has developed a new Differential Absorption LIDAR (DIAL) system to precisely measure and quantify greenhouse gas emissions. This innovative technology operates by emitting light at two specific wavelengths – one that matches the absorption spectrum of the target gas and another that doesn’t. By analyzing the difference in light returned from the atmosphere at these two wavelengths, the system can determine the concentration of the greenhouse gas at various distances.
NIST’s DIAL system uses a specialized optical parametric oscillator (OPO) to generate tunable near-infrared light, which is then pumped by a high-frequency Nd:YAG laser. The system employs heterodyne detection and advanced modulation techniques with acoustic-optical-modulators (AOMs) and electro-optic-modulators (EOMs) to analyze the backscattered light signals.
This groundbreaking technology allows regulators to accurately measure the flux of greenhouse gases, which is the key metric for understanding and regulating emissions. By providing precise, location-specific data on greenhouse gas releases, NIST’s DIAL system will help identify sources of emissions and support efforts to mitigate climate change.
Keywords: Differential absorption LIDAR, greenhouse gas emissions, optical parametric oscillator
