Method of detecting an object by use of laser light and laser radar

摘要

A method and an apparatus are disclosed in which paying attention to the fact that the rate of attenuation of laser lilght propagating in the atmosphere changes depending on meteorological conditions, the rate of attenuation is detected and the optimum laser beam emission or divergence angle is controlled in accordance with the detected rate of attenuation. There are also disclosed a method and an apparatus in which the optimum beam angle is controlled in accordance with a distance to a target existing in the atmosphere or the shape of the target. Further, there are disclosed a method and an apparatus in which the optimum beam angle is controlled taking either two or all of the rate of attenuation, the distance to the target and the shape of the target into consideration.