FORWARD SCATTERED-LIGHT MEASUREMENTS FOR THE CALIBRATION OF A DIFFERENTIAL ABSORPTION LIDAR SYSTEM IN THE LABORATORY

It is shown that forward scattered light measurements done in the laboratory space can be used for monitoring the performance of a differential absorption LIDAR system during its initial developing stages, as an accurate and convenient alternative to remote measurements. On the contrary, backscattered light measurements in the laboratory do not allow for such task. The differential absorption coefficient of NO2 in the atmosphere is measured in the wavelength region 446.4-450.4 nm as a demonstration.