High-Power Pump Laser for Ozone Lidar

We propose to develop and demonstrate a key component of a laser transmitter that can meet the performance requirements of both systems. In contrast to solid state, diode-pumped, high-energy, low-pulse-rate transmitters that have been considered for ozone lidar systems, our innovative approach is to use a high-pulse-rate (1 kHz) source with similar average powers to low-pulse-rate systems, but greatly reduced energies per pulse. The resultant reduction in the number of diodes and the size of the beam-handling optics leads to a lower-cost, lighter weight system, advantages for both the satellite- and aircraft-based systems. Our approach will enable a new generation of lower-risk, lower-cost science missions, requiring lower power and weight resources. This technology will lead to high performance DIAL systems deployable on small aircraft, UAVs and satellites. This flexibility in choice of platform will greatly enhance the capability of NASA to achieve the science goals of ESE.