Application of hybrid lidar radar technology to a laser line scanner system

Summary form only given. The ability to image objects underwater is limited by several physical processes which occur as light propagates through water. Light traveling underwater from an optical source to a distant receiver is attenuated by absorption (loss of photons) and scattering (photons scattered out of the field of view of the receiver) by water particulates and dissolved substances. The hybrid lidar-radar detection scheme was developed to improve backscatter rejection and image resolution in a scattering environment, such as ocean water. When applied to a pulsed lidar system, the hybrid lidar-radar technique proved successful in reducing backscatter and enhancing underwater target contrast.