Compact, Integrated Laser/ Telescope/ Detector for Wind Sensing

We propose to build an eye-safe, diode-pumped, coherent laser radar receiver with the laser, the output telescope, the cooling system, the heterodyne detection system, and the associated electronics integrated into a single compact unit. We have experience with building large laboratory versions of transceiver systems. We now believe that it is possible to package the entire transceiver in a volume well below one cubic foot. The goal of the proposed Phase I project is the design of the compact opto-mechanical platform that would make this level of integration successful. Our goal is a platform which can withstand the environmental stresses of temperature, pressure, acceleration, vibration and shock expected in military aircraft. Our approach entails specifying each optic in the system, and then calculating how motion of that optic degrades the system signal. We will develop a model for how platforms are dimensionally distorted in response to environmental stresses. The distortion of a platform will be used to calculate the movement of optics and the system signal degradation. We will choose a platform design and build it to verify our calculations. During Phase II we propose to build a complete coherent laser radar transceiver with pulse energy in the 1-3 mJ range, based on the results of our Phase I studies.