Abstract

The viability of using coherent laser radar systems in non-laboratory settings is in many cases dependent upon compact and reliable designs. We recently developed the first diode-pumped solid-state lidar transceiver to meet formal flight test requirements, which demonstrates that the engineering issues required for adverse environments can be solved. More and more applications are also found that require pulse energies significantly higher than those demonstrated with eye-safe diode-pumped lasers to date. We have made significant further progress towards the development of compact lasers, as well as increased pulse energies, and will present the highlights of these developments.

© 1995 Optical Society of America