Project Title:

DIODE PUMPED Cr:LiSAF LASERS FOR OZONE AND WATER VAPOR SENSING LIDARS

	  94-1	08.03	9558	A

	  DIODE PUMPED Cr:LiSAF LASERS FOR OZONE AND WATER VAPOR SENSING 
	  LIDARS

Abstract:

There is long term NASA need for rugged, tunable lasers for 
measurement of atmospheric constituents to increase understanding 
of ozone depletion, global warming, and other climate related 
topics. For projected missions for aircraft or space based 
measurements, more compact and efficient lidar transmitters need 
to be developed in the near-IR and W. Novel diode pumped solid 
state laser technology is projected to play an increasing role 
in such measurements. Diode pumped tunable lasers would be ideal 
for species measurements using DIAL. The proposed effort will 
develop high energy, modest pulse rate, diode pumped, compact 
Cr:LiSAF lasers suitable for measurements of H20 vapor in the 
near IR and of 03 in the UV by Differential Absorption Lidar. The 
laser developed at the end of Phase II will have a combination 
of diode pumping (Q-cw), high output energy, and narrow band 
power that has not been achieved simultaneously in this medium.
To test the power scaleable innovative geometry, experiments in 
Phase I quantify achievable gain, losses in the material, and 
extraction in a multipass, multi-bounce slab geometry. Design in 
Phase I will focus on "design to cost", to provide optimum use 
of diode arrays, and to consider lamp pumped amplifier module to 
boost the energy for UV ozone measurement applications. The Phase 
II laser will be delivered to NASA for incorporation into 
existing NASA lidar systems and platforms. Being compact and 
efficient, further hardening can extend the laser' s utility to 
future missions, such as with remotely piloted aircraft.

The technology can be used for high peak power, ultra-fast pulse 
amplification for table top TW research use, in medical 
applications in place of dye lasers as well as tattoo removal 
where multiple colors are needed to decompose ink embedded in the 
flesh. Industrial monitoring of plant emissions of N02, S02, and 
volatile organic compounds, as well as industrial use in 
materials processing and semiconductor fabrication are possible. 
Remote sensing for other governmental groups is important also, 
such as chemical agent detection, solvent releases from nuclear 
weapons facilities or illicit drug manufacture.

Key words

Aculight Corporation
40 Lake Bellevue, Suite 100
Bellevue, WA, 98005