Eye safe solid state lasers for remote sensing and coherent laser radar

This study demonstrates a second generation version of a three-level injection seeded Er:glass laser that works as a transform limited coherent laser radar. This laser is designed to maximize the average power that can be extracted from a bulk glass host. It uses pulsed pump diode lasers and a conduction cooled, co-planar folded zig-zag slab (CPFS) gain medium in an injection seeded, long Q switched pulsed configuration. This laser can operate at 60 mJ per pulse at 10 Hz in a standing wave configuration. For eye-safe operation it should not exceed 10 mJ per pulse. The resonator used in this work is developed specifically for generating long pulse, single frequency Q-switched outputs in low gain laser media. This work describes the latest results of this prototype laser and its properties for coherent single frequency sensing. A design for a third generation of this laser are also be discussed.