What’s LIDAR?

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Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) is a technology that uses lasers to determine the distance to an object or surface. It is used in a variety of industries, including atmospheric physics, geology, forestry, oceanography, and law enforcement. LIDAR is similar to radar, but incorporates laser pulses rather than radio waves. Both systems determine distance by measuring the delay between the transmission and reflection of a pulse.

For many applications, LIDAR is a better choice than radar because it has a greater ability to reflect images, making more objects visible. When using data collection systems that involve pointing wavelengths at a target and waiting for a reflection, it is usually only possible to collect information for objects of the same wavelength size or longer. LIDAR uses waves ten to a hundred thousand times shorter than radar waves, which means it is capable of collecting much more data. A basic LIDAR system includes a transmitting laser and receiver, and LIDAR used in mobile environments such as aircraft and satellites also incorporates positioning technology.

Because of the density of the beams, combined with the short wavelength, LIDAR is frequently employed in studies of the atmosphere, as it is able to gather information about atmospheric particles, clouds, rain, smoke and other things that radar is not capable of logging. LIDAR is also capable of measuring wind speed and the density of various components of our atmosphere, such as oxygen and nitrogen.

LIDAR can also be used to create three-dimensional topographic maps and surveys of geographic regions. LIDAR has been used in this way to map Mars, to track glaciers, and to visualize the Grand Canyon. LIDAR can also be used to analyze the ocean floor and to determine canopy height and biomass measurements. It also has applications in seismology and has been used in studies of uplift, fault lines and other geological features.

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