Development of CO_2 waveguide lasers and laser technology for remote sensing

摘要

We have developed rapidly tuned RF-pumped CO_2 waveguide laser transmitters for remote sensing in the 9-11 μm spectral range. The small size, high power and efficiency, and tunability of these lasers offer significant advantages over other laser sources in this spectral region. Employing acousto-optic modulators to achieve random-access tuning at pulse rates up to 100 kHz permits rapid gathering of data on time scales short compared to times for change in atmospheric turbulence and absorption effects, thereby improving the signal-to-noise ratios that can be achieved. Laser system design and performance characteristics of present systems are described, along with proposed concepts to increase optical bandwidths and extend the tuning range to cover the full long-wave atmospheric transmission window from 8-12 μm.