Abstract
Infrared heterodyne receivers have been shown to be viable and useful in CO2 laser radar applications. Interaction with space based systems requires frequency response of the order of 2 GHz due to the large Spacecraft Doppler velocities. Current applications are space based wind measurements such as proposed for the Laser Atmospheric Wind Sounder (LAWS) program as well as CO2 laser radar tracking systems (LOWKATER). Wide bandwidth receivers are required since it is not feasible to tune the CO2 laser local oscillator as is done in conventional microwave radar systems. Here we present the results and applications for wide bandwidth MCT detectors developed using the planer mercury diffusion process.
© 1991 Optical Society of America
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