Fiber Coupled Pulse Shaper for Sub-Nanosecond Pulse Lidar

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase II effort will develop an all-diode laser and fiber optic based, single frequency, sub-nanosecond pulsed laser source for high resolution lidar applications benefiting SLR, LIST and DESDynI missions. This laser will have a user adjustable pulse width from 2ns to 400ps and will be ideal for seeding high power fiber amplifiers for short pulse, high resolution lidar transmitters. The highest utility of the proposed sub-nanosecond pulsed laser is simultaneously achieving narrow linewidth AND narrow pulse widths that can be set by the user for lidar instruments with <10cm vertical resolution.

The competitive advantage of the proposed approach is programmable, sub-nanosecond pulse generation with narrow, single frequency linewidth. Applications include: (1 )laser communication systems, the narrow linewidth provides improved signal-to-noise ratio, (2) free space laser communication for secure transmission of sensitive information, and (3) time resolved lasers for induced fluorescent spectroscopy, the short pulse and high power are key. Adding wavelength converters such as AdvR's KTP waveguides offers a value added benefit of tailoring the wavelength to specific fluorophores of study. This technology can also be applied to high power fiber modulators as could lead to a new approach to Q-switches in solid state lasers.

AdvR will discuss with NASA personnel the applications in high resolution lidar imaging with sub-ns pulses and long range optical telecommunications. Several future NASA applications identified as part of the Decadal Survey Missions that are likely to benefit from utilizing AdvR's pulse shaper including LISA (NASA/GSFC EUD: Code 661 Gravitational Astrophysics Lab), LIST (Lidar for Surface Topography, NASA/GSFC, and ICESat (GSFC Laser Remote Sensing Branch, Code 924). It will also supply a necessary component for planned upgrades to the international laser ranging service network (ILRS) as part of NASA's satellite laser ranging (SLR) program.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 5) — 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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