LIFL-11

Multi-wavelength water-quality surveys from vessels and small aircraft

The LIFL-11 combines laser-induced fluorescence, elastic scattering, and Raman scattering in one survey instrument. It records the full 48-band return in about fifteen seconds at a station or measures four selected bands at up to 10 Hz while underway. Two excitation configurations cover chlorophyll, CDOM, suspended matter, oils, phenols, and tryptophan.

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Model

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A simplified external model that can be rotated by hand

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LIFL-11, 3D VIEW INTERACTIVE

Measures

Measurement channels

The receiver separates each reported parameter by its optical process and its position in the return spectrum

LIFL-11, excitation and return bands across the 250–800 nm reception window

Phytoplankton and pigments

Measures chlorophyll-a from 0.01 to 1000 mg·m⁻³ and distinguishes pigment returns associated with phycoerythrin and phycocyanin

Process: Laser-induced fluorescence
Band: 532 / 685 nm
Range: 0.01–1000 mg·m⁻³

Dissolved organic matter

Characterises CDOM and FDOM, including fulvic and humic matter and optical markers associated with wastewater

Process: Laser-induced fluorescence
Band: 355 / 440 nm
Range: a440 0.001–0.15 m⁻¹

Hydrocarbons and oil

Uses 266 nm excitation to distinguish fluorescence from fuels, diesel, crude oil, and oil-in-water emulsions

Process: UV-induced fluorescence
Band: 266 / 315–330 nm, and 460–510 for crude

Marine litter and plastics

Records fluorescence signatures from polyethylene, polypropylene, wood, leaves, seagrass, and surface foam

Process: Laser-induced fluorescence
Band: 355 / ~410–420 nm

Suspended matter

Maps mineral particles and suspended sediment from 0.1 to 1000 g·m⁻³ along the survey track

Process: Elastic backscatter
Band: 532 / 532 nm
Range: 0.1–1000 g·m⁻³

Additional spectral returns

The 48-band record also contains returns associated with phycoerythrin, phycocyanin, bacteriochlorophyll, tryptophan, phenol markers, and methane seeps

Platforms

Compatible deployment platforms

Mounting and integration are specified for the instrument and survey method

Research vessel

Fixed deck or rail mount

Continuous transects or station work

Small vessel / RIB

Compact rail installation

Shallow-water and nearshore surveys

Ferry of opportunity

Fixed vessel installation

Repeated routes with vessel crew

Autogyro / small aircraft

Small-aircraft payload

Airborne transect measurements

Fixed coastal station

Permanent above-water installation

Long-term monitoring in exposed conditions

USV

Deck-mounted payload

Uncrewed transect measurements

Datasheet

Specifications

Open datasheet (PDF)

Optical

Channels

Bands per channel

Total bands

48, ~250–800 nm

Excitation

355 + 532 nm or 266 + 532 nm

Pulse energy

10 mJ @266, 12 mJ @355, 12 mJ @532

Pulse duration

4 ns

Repetition rate

up to 10 Hz

Full-spectrum acquisition

~15 s (station mode)

Telescope

76 mm Newton

Surface-layer sensing

0.5–5 m @355 nm, 1–10 m @532 nm

Vertical profiling

up to 50 m @532 nm, ~0.5 m vertical resolution

Chl-a range

0.01–1000 mg·m⁻³

Suspended matter range

0.1–1000 g·m⁻³

CDOM (a440)

0.001–0.15 m⁻¹

Electronics

Georeferencing

GNSS/IMU @10 Hz + context camera

Mechanical

Size / mass

44 × 33 × 28 cm, 21 kg

Protection

IP68, marine-grade, all-weather

Electrical

Power

< 80 W after laser warm-up, 24 V DC or 100–230 V AC

Contact

Discuss a LIFL-11 deployment

The engineering team handles quotations, mounting requirements, and integration questions

info@lifelidar.com +33 7 80 72 60 72 Sophia Antipolis, Valbonne, France