Er:Yb:glass Coherent Laser Radar
Date
2005
Authors
Heintze, M.
Munch, J.
Veitch, P.
Editors
Advisors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Type:
Conference paper
Citation
16th National Congress of the Australian Institute of Physics [electronic resource] : physics for the nation : congress proceedings / [Max Colla (ed.)]
Statement of Responsibility
Matthew C. Heintze, Jesper Munch and Peter J. Veitch
Conference Name
Australian Institute of Physics Congress (16th : 2005 : Canberra, A.C.T.)
Abstract
Q-switched Er:glass lasers that are injection seeded by a cw master laser are useful for eye-safe (1.535μm)coherent laser radars (CLR). Previously, we used an injection seeded, Q-switched, lamp-pumped Er:glass laser, obtaining velocity measurements of a hard target with a single shot resolution of about 1ms–1 [1]. The transmitted pulse energy was only about 1mJ however, which severely restricted the range of the radar. We shall describe the development and performance of a new, Q-switched, diode-pumped Er:Yb:glass slab laser that can produce gain-switched, transform limited, TEM00 pulses. The spectral content of the laser output, suitable for CLR will be discussed. [1] A.McGrath, et al.: Injection-seeded, single frequency, Q-switched Er:glass laser for remote sensing, Appl. Optics 37, 5706–5709, 1998