Abstract: Acquiring and illuminating a cooperative target with a laser beam from a remote source is disclosed. The process may be used for cooperative target tracking where the source/target are a ground station, an aircraft, UAV, drone, satellite, spacecraft, combinations thereof, etc. A laser beam can be rapidly and accurately pointed by an emitter source using a laser pointing system, such as a gimbal or other laser pointing device, for example. A differential GPS on the cooperative target detects its position and periodically sends this information either directly or indirectly to the laser emitter source. The cooperative target may also determine its attitude. The emitter source uses this information to keep the cooperative target illuminated with the laser beam. The system may be used for detection and tracking of atmospheric differential absorptions to detect, track, and mitigate atmospheric releases of global warming gases and toxic industrial chemicals, communication, surveying, lidar, etc.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems, methods, and apparatus for Doppler light detection and ranging (LIDAR). According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for measuring atmospheric wind speed. The method includes tuning, in sequence, light output of a laser to a first wavelength and a second wavelength, wherein the first wavelength and the second wavelength are symmetric about a maximum transmission wavelength peak associated with a Fabry-Perot etalon; directing the light output to one or more portions of the atmosphere; receiving backscattered light from the one or more portions of the atmosphere; directing the received backscatter light through the Fabry-Perot etalon; detecting a transmission signal corresponding to light transmitted through the Fabry-Perot etalon; and determining, by at least the transmission signal, atmospheric wind speed at one or more portions of the atmosphere.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method is provided to remotely measure atmospheric species using a long path differential absorption technique. In one embodiment, a source and a detector are collocated and at the far end of the absorption path a retro-reflector is mounted on a vehicle. The source generates an outgoing laser beam that is transmitted to the retro-reflector and reflected towards the detector as an incoming laser beam, and the detector receives the incoming laser beam that was reflected by the retro-reflector.

Abstract: One or more embodiments of the present invention pertain to a system, method, and apparatus that accurately measures concentration of a greenhouse gas in narrow atmospheric columns above multiple sites utilizing a network of autonomous low-cost beacons that turn on for short unannounced time intervals and point to a receiving satellite. For example, each beacon can activate for short time intervals and transmit a laser beam at eye-safe low transmission power levels to a receiving satellite. The receiving satellite includes a sensor configured to receive the laser beam from one or more activated beacon and generate raw greenhouse gas concentration data based on measurement of the received laser beam intensity at selected wavelengths.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems, methods, and apparatus for Doppler light detection and ranging (LIDAR). According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for measuring atmospheric wind speed. The method includes tuning, in sequence, light output of a laser to a first wavelength and a second wavelength, wherein the first wavelength and the second wavelength are symmetric about a maximum transmission wavelength peak associated with a Fabry-Perot etalon; directing the light output to one or more portions of the atmosphere; receiving backscattered light from the one or more portions of the atmosphere; directing the received backscatter light through the Fabry-Perot etalon; detecting a transmission signal corresponding to light transmitted through the Fabry-Perot etalon; and determining, by at least the transmission signal, atmospheric wind speed at one or more portions of the atmosphere.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method is provided to remotely measure atmospheric species using a long path differential absorption technique. In one embodiment, a source and a detector are collocated and at the far end of the absorption path a retro-reflector is mounted on a vehicle. The source generates an outgoing laser beam that is transmitted to the retro-reflector and reflected towards the detector as an incoming laser beam, and the detector receives the incoming laser beam that was reflected by the retro-reflector.

Abstract: One or more embodiments of the present invention pertain to a system, method, and apparatus that accurately measures concentration of a greenhouse gas in narrow atmospheric columns above multiple sites utilizing a network of autonomous low-cost beacons that turn on for short unannounced time intervals and point to a receiving satellite. For example, each beacon can activate for short time intervals and transmit a laser beam at eye-safe low transmission power levels to a receiving satellite. The receiving satellite includes a sensor configured to receive the laser beam from one or more activated beacon and generate raw greenhouse gas concentration data based on measurement of the received laser beam intensity at selected wavelengths.

Abstract: A process is described for recovering phosphorus from pond sludge found in ponds located near phosphorus plants. An aqueous solution of the sludge, which has a phosphorus concentration in the range of 5% to 70% by weight, is heated at a temperature in the range of 165.degree. F. to 212.degree. F., preferably for about 1/2 hour to about 6 hours, washed with water at an elevated temperature, and then reheated. A phosphorus layer having an enhanced concentration of recoverable elemental phosphorus is formed as a result of this process.