Frequency Agile Chemical and Biological Hazard Transceiver

Coherent Technologies, Inc. (CTI) proposes a simple, compact and efficient man-portable laser source for remote detection of chemical and biological hazards. The source consists of a low-risk Nd:YAG drive laser pumping a frequency-agile optical parametric oscillator (OPO). The transmitter will simultaneously output eyesafe radiation at 1.56 um and at other wavelengths over the entire 1.75 to 14 um spectral region. This will allow concurrent Differential Absorption Lidar detection of chemical effluents, elastic backscatter profiling of bioaerosol clouds and active imaging. The source incorporates a novel laser tuning and linewidth control architecture that permits shot-to-shot control of the OPO output frequency over the entire tuning range, with linewidths less than 0.25cm (-1). In Phase I, CTI will demonstrate laser source efficiency, tuning and linewidth control. In Phase II a man-portable, battery-powered, air cooled brassboard sensor will be built. CTI believes that this approach provides a low risk path towards development of an optical and mechanical architecture that will satisfy all Phase II mission requirements. This integrated systems approach to remote sensing problems is a hallmark of CTI products.