Advanced Wavelength Tuners for Chem-Bio Detection Lasers

Active standoff detection of chemical and biological agents with lasers has proven to be very effective. Specific targets include chemical vapors, chemical aerosols, and biological particles. Most notably, the FAL (Frequency Agile Laser) sensor developed by ECBC (Edgewood Chemical Biological Center) has shown capability to detect all of these targets with a single device. Also, optical techniques in point sensors have also proven successful based on micro-lasers such as the QCL (Quantum Cascade Laser) and various solid state lasers with wavelength shifting by OPO (Optical Parametric Oscillation) and using the fundamentally the same phenomenologies of DISC (differential scattering) and DIAL (differential absorption lidar) as applied to FAL. These transmitters require unique wavelength tuners. The Phase I program will address novel approaches to the development of more compact, robust, rapid wavelength tuners with greater selectivity, angular resolution, and repeatability. This will significantly enhance the active standoff and point sensor capability by increasing the probability of detection, decreasing false alarm rates, and decreasing the time required for algorithmic analysis.