Other

Coherent Technologies, Inc.

Paul J Suni

Sammy W Henderson

James R Magee

Michael J Kavaya

J Alex Thomson

Charley P Hale

R Milton Huffaker

Mark W Phillips

The present invention provides a laser radar (ladar) imaging system in which both the range of an object being imaged and the velocity of the object can be measured simultaneously and accurately with superior range resolution and with minimal ambiguity. Use is made of a ladar system based on matched-filter cross-correlation of light pulse waveforms that have multiple, simultaneous frequency components with phase variation and incommensurate spectral frequency spacing between frequency components.

Fiber-based ladar transceiver for range/doppler imaging with frequency

A composite, glass or crystalline laser rod having a doped, light-absorbing core portion surrounded by a transparent cladding portion that is either undoped or doped with a nonabsorbing material is side-pumped with a plurality of laser diodes dispersed angularly around the laser rod. A reflective coating or sleeve substantially surrounds the laser rod, except for entrance slits for the pump light, to confine unabsorbed pump light in the crystalline laser rod by reflecting and re-reflecting the pump light in the rod to increase the likelihood of absorption by the core portion. The reflective coating is substantially reflective of all the pump light, but it can be transparent to laser radiation emission by the rod. An absorptive coating that absorbs radiation of the wavelength of the laser radiation emission of the rod can be positioned around the outside of the reflective coating to absorb lateral laser emission of the rod. A clamp assembly with a rod holding axial bore and radially extending slots t,hat provide clamping flexibility and channel pump light transversely into the laser rod.

Laser rod assembly for side pumped lasers

This invention is an optical device for laser sources, particularly for injection-seeded laser sources. The invention is an acousto-optic element used within a laser cavity to satisfy three functions--injection-seeding, frequency-shifting, and Q-switching. Use of this device rather than separate devices for each function increases reliability and lowers cost, while providing a large injection-signal into the laser cavity.

Device for injection-seeding, frequency-shifting, and q-switching a

A coherent laser radar system operating at an eyesafe wavelength above 1.4 microns has been provided for measurement of the position and velocity of hard targets and aerosol targets, said system comprising a frequency-stable master laser and an injection-seeded Q-switched slave laser for generating signals for transmission to the target. Means for obtaining highly accurate velocity and range measurements are provided. Data from signal transmissions and receptions taken over a range of angles are analyzed to map target positions and velocities in time and space.

Growing community of inventors

Longmont, CO, United States of America

Paul J Suni