Compact, Efficient, Robust Eyesafe Ladar Transmitter

"The Navy has identified a need for an eyesafe pulsed laser transmitter for the CMRTR program, and for similar imaging and designator ladar systems. The transmitter cost, weight, footprint and performance ( >10W, 20-100kHz, 10ns, M2<1.2) requirementscannot be simultaneously met using current transmitter technology based on bulk Er, Ho, Tm lasers, OPOs, OPAs or Raman lasers. Additionally, conventional single-mode or large core fiber lasers are limited by damage and parasitic nonlinear processes topeak powers well below those required in this program. CTI proposes a breakthrough approach to meet the transmitter requirements. The proposed transmitter implements a proprietary self-imaging process in a large core fiber to retain the high efficiency,diffraction-limited beam quality, and excellent thermal handling of a single-mode fiber laser, while scaling the aperture to handle much higher peak power levels. A versatile MOPA architecture is adopted to meet the temporal format requirements withoutneed for resonators or Q-switches. The self-imaging technique and MOPA architecture are leveraged by comprehensive demonstrations and by multiple other programs. A preliminary concept for the rugged prototype transmitter has been developed, leveragingoff CTI's widespread experience with rugged flight-qualified laser systems. Phase I will conduct validation demonstrations of the ladar transmitter and develop a preliminary design for the p