Project Title:

High-Energy, Eyesafe Lidar for Long-range, High-resolution Aerosol

Schwartz Electro-Optics, Inc./Research Division
45 Winthrop Street
Concord, MA 01742

93-1		08.03	2299			AMOUNT REQUESTED $69,932

High-Energy, Eyesafe Lidar for Long-range, High-resolution Aerosol 
Detection

Abstract:

We have shown in recent laboratory experiments that the fortuitous 
nonlinear properties of potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP), 
exploited in innovative optical pararnetric oscillator (OPO) 
designs, can provide an eyesafe laser source that is unusually 
simple, compact, efficient and reliable.  In addition, this laser 
design can produce high-energy pulses (0.1-1 J), short-duration 
pulses (<10 ns) and output in a good atmospheric transmission 
window (1500-1600 mm), all features that are important for the 
aerosol and cloud detection application, which we are addressing 
here.  In this proposal we describe the recent experiments that 
support these claims, a plan for further laser development and a 
plan for subsequent field verification tests using a prototype 
lidar system that would be constructed during the Phase I project.
In the proposed effort we would investigate means for 
improving/optimizing the intracavity OPO (IOPO) design that has 
recently been tested in our laboratory through a combination of 
experimental and computer-modeling work.  In addition, we would 
explore the potential of available KTP isomorphs as alternative OPO 
media, construct a breadboard laser for field tests and carry out 
some aerosol detection tests at the University of South Florida 
(USF).

There are a number of possible commercial applications, made 
especially relevant by the eyesafe operating wavelength, including 
(1 ) lidar systems for helicopters, to be used to provide warning 
of objects in the flight and/or rotor pull and (2) range-gated 
illumination systems for aircraft in general, for viewing through 
fog.  Another application could be in the area of long-range 
machine vision, for automated systems requiring sensors to operate 
at long distances.  In the area of environmental monitoring this 
eyesafe lidar could provide low-cost, reliable monitoring of 
aerosols as one means of monitoring air-quality in populated areas

lidar, aerosols, eyesafe laser, optical parametric oscillator