High-repetition-rate multiwavelength polarized air cooled solid-state laser source for light detection and ranging applications

S. K. Sudheer; V. P. Mahadevan Pillai; V. Unnikrishnan Nayar

doi:10.1117/1.2747637

1 June 2007 High-repetition-rate multiwavelength polarized air cooled solid-state laser source for light detection and ranging applications

S. K. Sudheer, V. P. Mahadevan Pillai, V. Unnikrishnan Nayar

Author Affiliations +

Optical Engineering, Vol. 46, Issue 6, 064202 (June 2007). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.2747637

Abstract

Advances in laser technology and nonlinear optical techniques can be effectively utilized for light detection and ranging (LIDAR) applications in space and atmospheric sciences to achieve better flexibility and control of the available optical power. Using such devices, one can achieve highly accurate and resolved measurement of the distribution for atmospheric scattering layers. In the present investigation, a diode-double-end-pumped high-repetition-rate, multiwavelength Nd:YAG laser is designed, fabricated, and various laser beam parameters are characterized for LIDAR applications. Nonlinear optical techniques are employed to generate higher harmonics like 532, 355, and 266 nm for various spectral studies. The studies of laser crystal parameters of Nd:YVO₄ and Nd:YAG are performed using a diode-double-end-pumped configuration to extract maximum output power in the fundamental mode. The fractional thermal loading and effective stimulated emission cross section for ⁴F_3/2 → ⁴I_11/2 transition of 1.1 at. % doped Nd:YVO₄ slab and 0.7% doped Nd:YAG rod is determined and compared using a convex-plane resonator configuration stabilized by pump-power-induced thermal lensing effect. Lower fractional thermal loading, larger effective stimulated emission cross section, and naturally polarized output enable these lasers to be more suitable for highly accurate and resolved measurement of the distribution for atmospheric scattering layers.

©(2007) Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE)

Citation Download Citation

S. K. Sudheer, V. P. Mahadevan Pillai, and V. Unnikrishnan Nayar "High-repetition-rate multiwavelength polarized air cooled solid-state laser source for light detection and ranging applications," Optical Engineering 46(6), 064202 (1 June 2007). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.2747637

Published: 1 June 2007

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