Compact Laser with Active/Passive Cooling for LADAR Applications

Marlow Industries Incorporated (MI) and Coherent Technologies Incorporated (CTI) propose a compact and efficient 1.064 micrometer, 20 kHz, 10 Watt, 1-5ns pulse width, solid state laser transmitter with an integral high performance thermoelectric cooler/phase change reservoir for LADAR system development. This unique solution with a compact, self-contained cooling system will be designed for both 3-minute and 30-minute weapon systems requirements. MI will develop a breadboard cooling system to validate the design concept. CTI will provide a robust laser with patent-pending modular, scalable technology optimized for efficient heat removal and minimal thermo-optic aberrations. MI-CTI will design, develop and deliver a breadboard laser transmitter with integrated cooling system optimized to meet both the short and long duration CONOPS. Cooling system modifications will be developed to provide the user continuous testing capability in the laboratory or tower-ground LADAR field facilities. The combination of this proposal, with its low risk thermally optimized 1.06-micrometer transmitter in robust packaging, together with CTI¡¦s parallel 1.5ƒYm development effort, provides the Army with a powerful LADAR roadmap. The overall goal of this program is to provide the Army with a choice in wavelength for its preferred approach as each technology matures, beginning with the lowest risk option.