Abstract
Eyesafe 2-μm Holmium lasers are of topical interest for potential remote-sensing applications. Such systems are regarded as promising for at least Doppler wind sensing1,2 and differential absorption lidar water-vapor profiling.3 The Doppler lidar concept is receiving attention in the context of deployment in earth orbit of a large (i.e., multi-Joule) system capable of mapping atmospheric wind fields on a global scale. Presently, the first-generation concept of such an instrument is centered around a pulsed CO2 system because these lasers are of a greater level of maturity and because current comparative assessments conclude that overall performance efficiency of coherent Doppler lidars in earth orbit is not strongly wavelength dependent.4 For next-generation lidar instruments, a diode-pumped, solid-state transmitter operating at eyesafe wavelengths potentially offers benefits of extended lifetime and lower mass.
© 1991 Optical Society of America
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