The high output maximum efficiency resonator (HOMER) developed for long life, space-based altimetry

We report on the status of the high output maximum efficiency resonator (HOMER), a prototype space-flight Nd:YAG, diode pumped, unstable resonator. HOMER, the 3^rd generation of this design based on the high efficiency laser transmitter, is a stand-alone oscillator that has achieved ~2 billion 10 ns q-switched pulses at 17-15 mJ. In this configuration HOMER achieves an excellent optical efficiency of ~16%. It is currently the lead candidate for the biomass monitoring mission (BioMM); a global vegetation instrument currently under design and pre-proposal at NASA-GSFC