Broadly Tunable Transmitters for Standoff Chemical Sensing

70715 The proliferation of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons among rogue nations and terrorist organizations necessitates that the U.S. develop the means of detecting the development of these weapons before they can be deployed against U.S. and allied military assets and civilian targets. DOE national laboratories have demonstrated that Differential Absorption Lidar (DIAL) and hybrid active-passive sensors are two means of stand-off, covert, remote detection of chemical signatures characteristic of the development of these weapons. This project will demonstrate an all solid-state laser transmitter suitable for incorporation into next-generation surveillance sensors for homeland defense to detect the release of chemical and biological agents. A compact, high-efficiency, diode-pumped laser will pump a single-stage optical parametric oscillator capable of simultaneous output in both the mid-wave infrared (MWIR) and long-wave infrared (LWIR) spectral regions. The transmitter will be suitable for use in coherent and direct detection lidar sensors and in hybrid active-passive sensors. Phase I will design an electronically tuned, frequency-agile laser transmitter and conduct risk reduction experiments. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: Frequency-agile laser transmitters should have application as commercial DIAL sensors for industrial chemical detection, pollution monitoring, and leak detection. These lasers also would be useful for scientific applications such as high-resolution optical spectroscopy. High electrical efficiency infrared lasers are also needed for a variety of applications including wind-sensing, free-space optical communications, search and rescue beacons, infrared countermeasures, and surgery.