Multi-Wave DIAL Lidar for Granular Atmospheric Analyte Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges in providing granular atmospheric gas and particulate data for aviation, which is crucial for avoiding contrail formation and engine degradation, and there is a need for advanced data analysis tools to predict contrail persistence and emissions effects.
Innovation Solution
A multi-wave differential absorption LIDAR system that uses multiple lasers to emit light at specific wavelengths corresponding to absorption peaks and troughs of atmospheric analytes, combined with a polarization measurement system, to determine concentrations of gases and particulates like water vapor, nitrous oxide, and calcium-magnesium-alumina-silicate (CMAS) with high spatial granularity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional LIDAR systems are used for atmospheric measurement, then basic gas concentration data can be obtained, but the spatial granularity and measurement precision are insufficient for aviation applications
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the measurement process by using multiple illuminators operating at different wavelengths (on-peak and off-peak) to independently probe different absorption characteristics of target analytes. This segmentation enables precise differential absorption measurements that achieve high spatial granularity while keeping each individual illuminator relatively simple
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the wavelength parameter of illumination light between on-peak and off-peak values to exploit differential absorption by target analytes. By measuring backscattered light intensity at these different wavelength parameters and computing ratios, the system achieves high measurement precision for gas concentrations without requiring overly complex detection hardware
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple analytes are measured simultaneously, then comprehensive atmospheric data is obtained, but the device complexity and data processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves multi-analyte detection capability through a universal measurement approach where multiple illuminators at different wavelengths can detect multiple target analytes (water vapor, nitrous oxide, sulfur oxides, CMAS) using the same basic DIAL methodology. The shared optical path and differential absorption principle provide universality across different analyte types
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic switching between on-peak and off-peak wavelength illumination to measure different analytes. By alternating the wavelength of illuminators in a periodic manner and processing the time-resolved backscattered signals, the system can sequentially measure multiple analytes with the same hardware, reducing overall device complexity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables precise measurement of atmospheric gases and particulates, allowing aircraft to avoid contrails and engine degradation by providing real-time data for navigational corrections, and supports machine learning models for predicting contrail formation and emissions effects.
Implementation Method 1
a first illuminator configured to emit light through the illumination and light collection optics at a first wavelength corresponding to a first absorption peak in an absorption curve of a first analyte of interest
Implementation Method 2
receive backscattered light from the targeted region of interest
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
A system (100) includes illumination and light collection optics (108) configured to illuminate a targeted region of interest and receive backscattered light from the targeted region of interest. The system (100) includes a differential absorption light detection and ranging ("DIAL") sub-system (104) with a first illuminator (124) configured to emit light, through the illumination and light collection optics (108) at a first wavelength corresponding to a first absorption peak of in an absorption curve of a first analyte of interest, and a second illuminator (126) configured to emit light, through the illumination and light collection optics (108) at a second wavelength corresponding to a first absorption trough in the absorption curve of the first analyte of interest, wherein the second wavelength is adjacent to the first wavelength. The system (100) includes a controller (154) configured to determine a concentration of the first analyte of interest in the targeted region of interest.