High-energy 2-um laser for multiple lidar applications

Jirong Yu; Upendra N. Singh; James C. Barnes; Norman P. Barnes; Mulugeta Petros

doi:10.1117/12.417025

13 February 2001 High-energy 2-μm laser for multiple lidar applications

Jirong Yu, Upendra N. Singh, James C. Barnes, Norman P. Barnes, Mulugeta Petros

Proceedings Volume 4153, Lidar Remote Sensing for Industry and Environment Monitoring; (2001) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.417025
Event: Second International Asia-Pacific Symposium on Remote Sensing of the Atmosphere, Environment, and Space, 2000, Sendai, Japan

Abstract

Solid-state 2-?m laser has been receiving considerable interest because of its eye-safe property and efficient diode pump operation. It has potential for multiple lidar applications to detect water vapor, carbon dioxide and winds. In this paper, we describe a 2-?m double pulsed Ho:Tm:YLF laser and end-pumped amplifier system. A comprehensive theoretical model has been developed to aid the design and optimization of the laser performance. In a single Q-switched pulse operation, the residual energy stored in the Tm atoms will be wasted. However, in a double pulses operation mode, the residual energy stored in the Tm atoms will repopulate the Ho atoms that were depleted by the extraction ofthe first Q-switched pulse. Thus, the Tm sensitized Ho:YLF laser provides a unique advantage in applications that require double pulse operation, such as DIfferential Absorption Lidar (DIAL). A total output energy of 146 nil per pulse pair under Q-switch operation is achieved with as high as 4.8 % optical to optical efficiency. Compared to a single pulse laser, 70% higher laser efficiency is realized. To obtain high energy while maintaining the high beam quality, a master-oscillator-power-amplifier 2-tim system is designed. We developed an end-pumped Ho:Tm:YLF disk amplifier. This amplifier uses two diode arrays as pump source. A non-imaging lens duct is used to couple the radiation from the laser diode arrays to the laser disk. Preliminary result shows that the efficiency of this laser can be as high as 3 %, a factor of three increases over side-pump configuration. This high energy, highly efficient and high beam quality laser is a promising candidate for use in an efficient, multiple lidar applications.

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Jirong Yu, Upendra N. Singh, James C. Barnes, Norman P. Barnes, and Mulugeta Petros "High-energy 2-μm laser for multiple lidar applications", Proc. SPIE 4153, Lidar Remote Sensing for Industry and Environment Monitoring, (13 February 2001); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.417025

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KEYWORDS

Optical amplifiers

Pulsed laser operation

Holmium

Thulium

Q switching

Semiconductor lasers

LIDAR

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