European Facility For Airborne Research

Laser pulses are transmitted, the backscattered radiation is collected in a telescope and measured by appropriate detectors. The ranging is done by measuring the pulse travel time. The backscattered signal contains information on the microphysical particle properties (aerosol Lidar).

ABLE is a high-power lidar emitting at 532 and 355nm. It can fire in the vertical either above or below the aircraft. The firing direction is decided before each flight and cannot be changed in-flight. The system detects aerosols up to over 10 km from the aircraft.

Aerosol backscattered and depolarisation, 1-20km above the aircraft. Unlike ground based experiments, airborne Lidars are not limited to looking at the vertical column over the instrument, but can be quickly moved into an area of interest and look at any direction in the sky.

<u>Alternative techniques :</u> Aerosol backscattered and depolarisation, 1 - 20km above the aircraft. Unlike ground based experiments, airborne Lidars are not limited to looking at the vertical column over the instrument, but can be quickly moved into an area of interest and look at any direction in the sky.

the low pressure and temperature during flight the limited electrical power available on board of the aircraft the maximum allowed weight and size the effect of vibrations on the structure resistance and on the functioning of the instrument the safety requirements

Contact: Giorgio Fiocco
Tel: (+39/0) 6-4991-3514/3523
Fax: (+39/0) 6-4991-3522
Gruppo G24 - Dip. di Fisica
Universita "La Sapienza" Roma - Italy