Multiwavelength laser induced fluorescence (LIF) LIDAR system for remote detection and identification of oil spills

A multiwavelength laser induced fluorescence (LIF) LIDAR system, which can be employed around the clock for detecting oil spills in a marine environment, has been developed. The system incorporates a pulsed Nd: YAG laser, Nd: YAG laser amplifier and two KD*P crystals for generating 266 nm, 355 nm and 532 nm. Additionally, the LIF LIDAR system incorporates a nitrogen laser pumped dye laser system operating at 428 nm (Stilbene 420 dye), a Newtonian telescope, motorized monochromator, a photomultiplier detection system and a data acquisition system. Fluorescence intensity measurements collected from fresh and weathered oil samples using the LIF LIDAR system are presented. Strong fluorescence spectra were detected from refined and crude oils when excited with 266 nm. Finally, a brief description for the principle components algorithm used for identifying and classifying unknown oil samples is provided.