Solid State Transmitters for Water Vapor and Ozone DIAL Systems

The focus of this Select Phase II program is to build and deliver laser components both for airborne water vapor and ozone DIAL systems. Specifically, Fibertek proposes to deliver to NASA the following prototype systems: 1) A complete water vapor DIAL transmitter with single-line output tunable over the 936 nm water vapor line, 2) A wavelength converter for ozone DIAL compatible with the GOLD (Global Ozone Lidar Demonstrator) pump laser, with an output on two lines between 300 and 320 nm. Fibertek has developed a common architecture for wavelength converters for both water vapor and ozone DIAL applications. Use of common technology allows us to economically manufacture components for both applications that are compatible with provide improved performance from instruments planned or previously developed by NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC). The laser systems delivered will provide NASA with the critical components needed for a new generation of airborne lidar sensors for measurement of stratospheric and upper tropospheric species central to improved weather forecasting and understanding of global climatology. The laser systems developed also provide a stepping-stone to space-based sensors – utilizing components and architectures that are scalable and traceable to space based operations.