Theoretical analysis and design of high-performance frequency converters for LIDAR systems

摘要

Frequency converters based on parametric and nonparametric frequency conversion are analyzed with respect to the specifications for high-average power water-vapor DIAL transmitters (DIAL: Differential Absorption LIDAR; LIDAR: Light Detection and Ranging). A Ti:Sapphire laser was selected as a suitable frequency converter to fulfill simultaneously all the requirements in the wavelength range of 935 nm and 820 nm. As thermal effects have a decisive influence on the overall performance and laser resonator design, they were simulated on Ti:Sapphire laser crystals in detail for different crystals, pump, and cooling configurations using finite element analysis (FEA). The performance and spectral properties of the Ti:Sapphire laser transmitter were modeled with a rate-equation approach for stable and unstable resonators. First theoretical results of an end-pumped Ti:Sapphire laser based on an optimized, asymmetric confocal unstable ring resonator design are presented. The obtained results can especially be used for the further development of a Ti:Sapphire laser to serve as a demonstrator for a future space-borne DIAL system transmitter according to the WALES (Water Vapor Lidar Experiment in Space) specifications. Furthermore, the adaptation of the developed theory modules to other lasing materials and configurations is straightforward.