Coherent Imaging Laser Source

ABSTRACT: Coherent ladar sources offer advantages over their incoherent counterparts by their ability to measure the amplitude, phase, and frequency modulation of a returned signal. This enables the uses of holographic laser radar to obtain fine resolution 3D images or synthetic aperture synthesis to image through a number of small sub-apertures rather than one large monolithic aperture potentially leading to low volume conformal imaging systems. While heterodyne techniques are more sensitive than incoherent techniques, pulsed laser systems, which have high frequency fidelity and can provide a cw local oscillator, are needed. In this Phase I SBIR program, we propose to construct a novel eye-safe, coherent, laser source that can be used in innovative laser radar applications. BENEFIT: Eyesafe laser sources, emitting in the 1.451.70-m region, are used extensively within the commercial, scientific, and military communities. Applications such as communications, spectroscopy, nonlinear optics, and imaging can all benefit from the development of a new eyesafe laser source, especially in situations where the laser is propagating long distances in free space, and the potential for human exposure is high.