Remote sensing of scattering coefficient for airborne laser hydrography

A method is proposed for using dual fields of view to allow remote sensing of the sea’s optical scattering coefficient from a laser-based airborne hydrographic system. The method depends on measurement of the rate of decay of the detected volume backscatter from a pulse of laser energy directed into the ocean and is, therefore, inherently independent of system gain calibration. The method builds on previous Monto Carlo studies of multiple scattering within the ocean bulk. An appropriate choice of fields of view allows determination of the scattering coefficient over a range appropriate to hydrographic interest in coastal waters. Limited data from flights of the WRELADS laser airborne hydrographic system support the applicability of the concept.