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Single Longitudinal Mode, High Repetition Rate, Q-switched Ho:YLF Laser for Remote SensingHo:YLF/LuLiF lasers have specific applications for remote sensing such as wind-speed measurement and carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration measurement in the atmosphere because the operating wavelength (around 2 m) is located in the eye-safe range and can be tuned to the characteristic lines of CO2 absorption and there is strong backward scattering signal from aerosol (Mie scattering). Experimentally, a diode pumped Ho:Tm:YLF laser has been successfully used as the transmitter of coherent differential absorption lidar for the measurement of with a repetition rate of 5 Hz and pulse energy of 75 mJ [1]. For highly precise CO2 measurements with coherent detection technique, a laser with high repetition rate is required to averaging out the speckle effect [2]. In addition, laser efficiency is critically important for the air/space borne lidar applications, because of the limited power supply. A diode pumped Ho:Tm:YLF laser is difficult to efficiently operate in high repetition rate due to the large heat loading and up-conversion. However, a Tm:fiber laser pumped Ho:YLF laser with low heat loading can be operated at high repetition rates efficiently [3]. No matter whether wind-speed or carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration measurement is the goal, a Ho:YLF/LuLiF laser as the transmitter should operate in a single longitudinal mode. Injection seeding is a valid technique for a Q-switched laser to obtain single longitudinal mode operation. In this paper, we will report the new results for a single longitudinal mode, high repetition rate, Q-switched Ho:YLF laser. In order to avoid spectral hole burning and make injection seeding easier, a four mirror ring cavity is designed for single longitudinal mode, high repetition rate Q-switched Ho:YLF laser. The ramp-fire technique is chosen for injection seeding.
Document ID
20090022381
Acquisition Source
Langley Research Center
Document Type
Other
Authors
Bai, Yingxin
(Science Systems and Applications, Inc. Hampton, VA, United States)
Yu, Jirong
(NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Petzar, Paul
(National Inst. of Aerospace Hampton, VA, United States)
Petros, M.
(Science and Technology Corp. Hampton, VA, United States)
Chen, Songsheng
(Science Systems and Applications, Inc. Hampton, VA, United States)
Trieu, Bo
(NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Lee, Nyung
(National Inst. of Aerospace Hampton, VA, United States)
Singh, U.
(NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 24, 2013
Publication Date
May 31, 2009
Subject Category
Lasers And Masers
Report/Patent Number
LF99-8155
Meeting Information
Meeting: Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics and International Quantum Electronics Conference (CLEO/IQEC 09)
Location: Baltimore, MD
Country: United States
Start Date: May 31, 2009
End Date: June 5, 2009
Funding Number(s)
WBS: WBS 478643.02.02.02.10
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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