Abstract: An improved leak detection system for oil and gas pipelines and the like, including submerged or buried structures, the system including an aerial- or space-based platform with GPS and Attitude Determination and Control System (ADCS) capability, the platform connected to a hyperspectral imaging sensor, the system including processor and memory structured with a vegetative index such that chemical and hydrocarbon leaks are detected within regulatorily-approved time limits based on changes in the vegetative index.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for generating blue laser light having a wavelength corresponding to a solar Fraunhofer line. The blue laser light is at a frequency that has both excellent transmissibility through sea water and a high signal-to-noise ratio. A first laser beam, generated using an injection-locked excimer XeCl laser, is down-converted by a first-Stokes order shift of 2.times.4155 cm.sup.-1 in a first Raman cell containing H.sub.2 gas at a pressure of about 10 atmospheres. The output of the first Raman cell is down-converted by a first Stokes shift of 3628 cm.sup.-1 in a second Raman cell containing HD at a pressure of about 10 atmospheres so that the output of the second Raman cell has a wavelength of 486.366 nm. This wavelength corresponds to the FE I solar Fraunhofer line.