In-line Optical Preamplifiers for Laser Radar Receivers

The next generation of autonomously guided munition seekers requires the development of LADAR systems capable of detection through obscurants at greater ranges and with greater precision and speed while reducing system cost, weight, and power consumption. Aerius Photonics has developed an advanced in-line optical preamplifier (I-LOP) technology to enhance the performance of LADAR receiver systems by optically amplifying return pulses 100 to 200x prior to signal detection. The new I-LOP technology is a complementary technology that can be used to boost the performance of high-sensitivity detector technologies (APD, PIN) that are presently being developed for LADAR applications. The I-LOP can simultaneously provide high gain, low noise, and offers the future potential for high-speed detector gating. By inserting the optical preamplifier in the optical system path, before the final detector, LADAR return pulse intensities can be increased by over 100 times prior to detection and additional amplification by the high-sensitivity detector. By utilizing these I-LOP modules it will be possible to greatly enhance the performance of laser radar and laser rangefinder systems operating at 1064 nm and eye-safe wavelengths in the near IR. In Phase II Aerius will build upon the Phase I development and deliver 10 complete I-LOP modules.