Broadband Laser Source and Spectrally Resolved Detection for Spectroscopic LiDAR Instrument

The focus of this early-stage technology development effort is to first optimize the PCF broad-based laser source using a new commercial microchip laser system and characterize the output. While perhaps not suitable for flight applications, this commercial laser would be ideal for development testing. Then an optical design for spectrally dispersing and resolving the laser output will be developed, and a multichannel array detector detection scheme will be conceived. Generating a supercontinuum in PCF has been demonstrated in the literature, however incorporating a supercontinuum laser source into a LiDAR instrument is novel. At present, all of the existing or conceptual multi-wavelength LiDAR instruments are rather limited in scope. Some merely offer a few discrete wavelengths (e.g. a combination of Nd:YAG fundamental and harmonic wavelengths - 1064 nm, 532 nm, and/or 355 nm). Others have the ability to scan a laser over a very narrow wavelength range to interrogate a single absorption feature of a single molecule. The proposed concept offers substantially more spectral range on every measurement without scanning.

Once developed, such a broadband laser would offer the unique opportunity to make multiple science observations simotaneously from one laser source. This ould increase science yeild, allow mvestigation of connected phenomena, and reduce spacecraft mass by eliminating additional lasers.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 2) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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