Monolithic Waveguide Laser Range Finder

"The goal for the next generation transmitter in laser range finders is to reduce size, cost, weight, and complexity while increasing the robustness and operational lifetime. Diode-pumped Erbium-doped direct 1.5-micron lasers offer the greatest opportunityfor high efficiency and low cost transmitters. However, bulk and micro-chip Erbium lasers require high Er concentrations which results in poor conversion efficiency due to up-conversion effects. Er fiber lasers have demonstrated high efficiency, but do notscale to the required pulse energies. CTI proposes a new Er-doped waveguide laser concept that has been previously demonstrated at CTI and that combines the benefits of fiber lasers with the power scaling capability of bulk lasers. The transmitter will (1)use one or two high efficiency, long-lifetime, single-emiter diode lasers that do not require active temperature control, (2) produce a substantially lower heat load than flashlamp-pumped lasers, (3) have high efficiency for longer battery lifetime, (4) iscapable of 10 mJ output energy in a TEM00 beam and sub-10 ns pulse width, and (5) has a final cost estimate of less than $1000/transmitter. CTI's proven ability to design and engineer rugged and compact laser ranging systems for demanding environments willensure a successful hardware development program."