SBIR 95-1 SOLICITATION

PROJECT SUMMARY

Proposal Number:

08.09-7671

Project Title:

TUNABLE SOLID-STATE UV FREQUENCY CONVERTER FOR OZONE DIAL INSTRUMENTATION

Technical Abstract:

This program will develop all solid-state tunable UV laser sources for use in remote sensing of atmospheric ozone. The sources developed will be based on nonlinear optical frequency conversion of the output of a Nd:YAG solid-state laser with output wavelength near 1.06 m. Efficient, non-linear frequency conversion techniques including optical parametric conversion, second harmonic conversion and frequency mixing will be used to generate laser output tunable between approximately 290 nm and 320 nm. The proposed frequency converter will replace liquid-phase dye lasers currently in use for atmospheric ozone DIAL measurements. The proposed all solid-state laser system provides significant advantage over the laser presently in use. These advantages include significantly increased reliability, reduced maintenance, reduced size and weight, and increased efficiency. All of these improvements will enable the resulting lidar sensors to be located on platforms including spacecraft and UAVs where previously this has not been practical. This extended capability will enhance NASAs ability to perform critical remote sensing missions. The tunable laser sources developed will be capable of being scaled to output energies greater than 100 mJ/pulse and repetition rates greater than 30 pps, at conversion efficiencies of > 15%.

Potential Commercial Applications:

Commercial remote sensing systems including UAV and space-based sensors, autonomous pollution monitoring stations, biological agent standoff detection systems,photolithographic sources and medical laser systems.

Name and Address of Offeror:

Fibertek, Inc., 510 Herndon Parkway, Herndon, VA 22070
INSTRUCTIONS FOR PROJECT SUMMARY