Field Measurements of Natural and Artificial Targets Using a Mid-Infrared Laser Reflectance Sensor

Authors

Ram M. Narayanan, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Steven E. Green, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

1994

Comments

Published in IEEE PHOTONICS TECHNOLOGY LETTERS, VOL. 6, NO. 8, AUGUST 1994. Copyright © 1994 IEEE

Abstract

tunable mid-infrared CO₂ laser reflectance sensor operating in the 9-11 pm wavelength range has been developed and field-tested at the University of Nebraska. This system is capable of gathering reflectance data at various wavelengths, incidence angles and linear polarization combinations. Preliminary measurements of various natural and artificial targets such as soil, coniferous and deciduous trees, concrete and brick building material at distances of up to 100 m demonstrate the potential of this system to characterize the mid-infrared reflectance of terrain features for remote sensing applications. Field-acquired data compare well with data on similar materials measured in the laboratory under controlled conditions.