Laser-Raman radar —Laser-Raman scattering methods for remote detection and analysis of atmospheric pollution

This paper reviews the recent progress of the laser radar method, providing single-ended and range-resolved means for remote detection and analysis of various molecular species in the polluted as well as ordinary atmosphere, based on the existence of their Raman backscattering; simply called the laser-Raman radar method. A brief description is given of the operational principle including the basic concept and fundamental characteristics of this scheme, along with critical discussions of their advantages. The differential backscattering cross section and the spectral distribution of Raman scattering of molecular species present in the atmosphere are discussed and summarized from the practical view-point for providing molecular density evaluation and interference-free detection. After presenting experimental approaches of the laser-Raman scheme to show the feasibility of in-field monitoring and analysis of chemical species in various air conditions, the estimation of molecular concentrations is performed from observed Raman spectra. Analytical discussions on the minimum detectable concentration and the range detectivity are also presented to indicate the present capability and limitation of this laser-Raman technique. The potentiality for further progress in resonance Raman scattering for range-resolved measurement of dispersed pollutants in ambient air is pointed out.