lidar
(ˈlaɪdɑː(r))
[f. light n. + radar.]
A system for detecting the presence of objects or ascertaining their position or motion which works on the principle of radar, but uses laser radiation instead of microwaves.
| 1963 Bull. Amer. Meteorol. Soc. XLIV. 568/1 Scattering at 180°, or back-scattering, is the basis for both the micro⁓wave radar and the lidar (laser radar). 1963 New Scientist 20 June 673/3 The difficulties already encountered in detecting lidar pulses from the Moon will make astronomers wary of attempting to use such methods on the planets. 1968 McGraw-Hill Yearbk. Sci. & Technol. 228/1 The purpose of the lidar was to determine where the spray cloud drifted after release by the aircraft, so that the area of forest ‘treated’ could be accurately determined. 1970 Daily Tel. (Colour Suppl.) 28 Aug. 19/1 At Duisberg in the Ruhr a {pstlg}20,000 laser system—called ‘Lidar’..—which was supplied by a British firm, Laser Associates, monitors the pollution coming from industrial chimneys. |