Efficiency and Performance Enhancement of Tm, Ho: YLF Lidar

This proposal is part of a TRP whose aim is the development and commercialization of a generic 2 micrometers coherent lidar transceiver with a variety of airborne wind sensing applications in both commercial and military avionics. These include: flight-level-optimization, clear-air turbulence detection, wind shear detection and avoidance, and wake-vortex detection. For specifiec military use, applications include: gunship wind sensing and wind mapping for precision air and bomb drop missions. A central feature of the lidar system is the laser transmitter, whose preliminary specifications are >10 mJ pulse energies, pulse repetition rate of 200 Hz , and a pulse duration of greater than 400 ns. TEM00-singel frequency operation is a prerequisite, and the system must operate in an ambient temperature of up to 55 degrees C with a maximum power budget of 500W. The compact, rugged transceiver must be air-cooled to simplify installation and maximize lifetime. This SBIR program proposes to demonstrate the above laser performance on a breadboarded system, basing its design on an existing Tm,Ho:YLF laser. We intend to investigate cooling schema capable of maintaining the defined performance in an airborne environment and within the defined power budget. The results of this embeded SBIR program will provide invaluable input to the associated TRP. Anticipated Military Benefits: A generic coherent airborne lidar system will porovide wind sensing data for closed loop correction of gunship targeting, allowing incresed stand-off. Wind mapping of air-space under aircraft will enhance precison air and bomb drop missions. Use of this technology in commercial (and military) avionics would provide fuel savings (via flight level optimization) and increased passenger safety (via clear-air-turbulence, wind shear and wake vortex detection).