Glossary
Measuring atmospheric gas with LIDAR

LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging)

Also known as laser radar, this sensor emits a directional beam in the optical domain towards a target, and analyzes the backscattered beam to measure certain physical parameters. This makes it possible to characterize either the target or the medium between the laser and the target.

DIAL (Differential Absorption Lidar)

A sensor that measures the concentration (or mixing ratio) of an atmospheric gas, by performing a differential analysis of the lidar signal received at two distinct wavelengths (ON, absorbed by the target gas; OFF, not absorbed). It is sometimes possible to measure several molecular species, by emitting additional wavelengths.

IP-DIAL (Integrated-Path Differential Absorption Lidar)

Sometimes also referred to as IPDA...