Compact, Air-Cooled, Diode-Pumped Coherent Laser Radar with Very Low Power Consumption

We propose an eye-safe, diode-pumped, coherent laser radar transceiver with an output of 300 microjoules at a repetition rate of 80 Hertz. This system will be used for short-range wind sensing. The low power of this application leads to tremendous advantages for field use. The system will operate with an electrical input of less than 10 Watts, and it will operate from -50 degrees to +50 degrees C. It will be conduction cooled, with no need for fluid or forced-air cooling. The pump laser is a single diode in the power range from 2 to 4 Watts peak power. These diodes cost $600. The laser diode will be operated at a duty cycle below 20%. The Phase I will experimentally demonstrate the Q-switched laser which is used in the transceiver. The work would be done in coordination with a TRP effort headed by Honeywell Corporation. The goal of that effort is to establish a commercial/military business for coherent laser radar. The first product from this business would be a short-range wind-sensing radar to be used to improve weapons accuracy for the Army's Apache helicopter, which is produced by TRP team member McDonnell-Douglas. Anticipated Benefits: Other applications include remote vibrometry, improving safety of helicopter landings on ships and other difficult locations, tracking of wake vortices and wind shear at airports, and helicopter hazard avoidance.