Simultaneous detection of multiple gaseous pollutants using multi-wavelength differential absorption LIDAR

• Published in: Optics communications 2022-09, Vol.518, p.128359, Article 128359
• Main Authors: Yang, Ze-hou, Zhang, Yong-ke, Chen, Yong, Li, Xiao-feng, Jiang, Yong, Feng, Zhen-zhong, Deng, Bo, Chen, Chun-li, Zhou, Ding-fu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Atmospheric pollution; Multi-wavelength DIAL; Remote detection of gases
• ISSN: 0030-4018; 1873-0310
• DOI: 10.1016/j.optcom.2022.128359

Differential absorption LIDAR (DIAL) is an effective way to remotely detect air pollutants and hazardous chemicals in the atmosphere. Based on the traditional dual-wavelength DIAL theory and previous studies, simultaneous measurement of multiple pollutant gases in the atmosphere using a multi-wavelength differential absorption LIDAR (MW-DIAL) is reported. It can measure a variety of harmful chemicals in the environment and improve the precision of the technology. A prototype was demonstrated using a tunable Transversely Excited Atmospheric (TEA) CO2 laser working in the 9–11μm band. The prototype could accurately detect NH3, CH3OH, and O3 simultaneously in a detection and measurement, with correlation coefficients of 0.967, 0.981, and 0.949, respectively. Simulations and the evaluation experiment proved the feasibility of the MW-DIAL detection method for multiple pollutant gases in the atmosphere. The field test showed that the MW-DIAL can be utilized to identify and detect the target gas at a 5-km-distance. •Lidar has offered a valuable tool for exploring component gases in the atmosphere.•In this paper we explore the use of the developed multi-wavelength differential absorption LIDAR (MW DIAL) for simultaneous detection of pollutant gases in the atmosphere and find, through a three-level approach – mathematical analysis, laboratory-scale experiments, and a multi-kilometer outdoor test – that the technique has great promise.