Geometrical form factors for the lidar function

Abstract

The form factors for the atmospheric backscattering of laser light leaving the exit aperture of a lidar receiving telescope are calculated in the limiting cases of purely geometrical optics and pure TEM(00) laser emission taking axial aperture displacement as well as misalignment of the transmitter axis into account. Some numerical results are plotted, displaying the effects of variations of the telescope's field of view, laser beam divergence, and misalignment.