Project Title:

Diode-Pumped, Short-Pulse Laser for Ranging and Altimetry

08.02-3240
NAS5-30868
Diode-Pumped, Short-Pulse Laser for Ranging
	and Altimetry
Continuum            
	3150 Central Expressway
	Santa Clara, CA 95051
		Jean-Marc Heritier
(408-727-3240)

Abstract:

	To perform earth atmosphere sensing and ranging from space, a laser must meet the
following requirements: short pulse width (60 ps to 1 ns), high efficiency (> 10
percent), and high reliability. Based on an improved, solid-state, diode-pumped technology,
this project will investigate the feasibility of a short-pulse, all-solid-state laser.
High efficiency should result from diode pumping, and its compact, almost-monolithic
design should ensure high reliability.  Phase I will demonstrate a short-cavity oscillator--single
longitudinal-mode, single transverse-mode, Q-switched at up to 1 kHz--which would
deliver 10 J per pulse with a minimum pulse duration of less than 1 ns, and 1 J per
pulse with a pulse duration of about 100 ps after compression. A flashlamp-pumped,
regenerative amplifier will be used to test the amplification of these pulses. In
Phase II, the firm would build the compressor and develop an all solid-state, quasi-cw
diode-pumped, regenerative amplifier that will amplify the pulses up to the milli-Joule
level.

Potential Commercial Application:

Potential Commercial Applications: This could apply to soft X-ray photolithography
for the semiconductor industry and for space-based or airborne experiments such as
ranging, altimetry, bathimetry, and LIDAR.