Abstract

A compact single mode TE-CO₂ laser has been developped by Société Anonyme de Télécommunications (SAT) for wind measurement applications for the French-German WIND (Wind INfrared Doppler Lidar) program (1). The laser transmitter is a critical component considering the performance. The key parameters are the frequency stability (jitter) from shot to shot, the intra frequency sweeping (chirp), the pulse length and shape, and the output energy. Regarding an airborne application in a medium size aircraft, the other relevant characteristics are the wall plug efficiency, and overall size and weight. All these parameters are crucial for reliable operation. We report on the design and tests conducted on a laser breadboard prior the fabrication of the flight model. In addition, the new laser has been implemented in the LMD ground-based coherent lidar for atmospheric measurements and used since several months.

© 1995 Optical Society of America