UV lifetime laser demonstrator for space-based applications

Michael Albert; Kent Puffenburger; Tom Schum; Fran Fitzpatrick; Slava Litvinovitch; Darrell Jones; Joseph Rudd; Floyd Hovis

doi:10.1117/12.2191188

2 September 2015 UV lifetime laser demonstrator for space-based applications

Michael Albert, Kent Puffenburger, Tom Schum, Fran Fitzpatrick, Slava Litvinovitch, Darrell Jones, Joseph Rudd, Floyd Hovis

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 9612, Lidar Remote Sensing for Environmental Monitoring XV; 961209 (2015) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2191188
Event: SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2015, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

A long-lived UV laser is an enabling technology for a number of high-priority, space-based lidar instruments. These include next generation cloud and aerosol lidars that incorporates a UV channel, direct detection 3-D wind lidars, and ozone DIAL (differential absorption lidar) system. In previous SBIR funded work we developed techniques for increasing the survivability of components in high power UV lasers and demonstrated improved operational lifetimes. In this Phase III ESTO funded effort we are designing and building a TRL (Technology Readiness Level) 6 demonstrator that will have increased output power and a space-qualifiable package that is mechanically robust and thermally-stable. For full space compatibility, thermal control will be through pure conductive cooling. Contamination control processes and optical coatings will be chosen that are compatible with lifetimes in excess of 1 billion shots. The 1064nm output will be frequency tripled to provide greater than 100mJ pulses of 355nm light at 150 Hz. After completing the laser module build in the third quarter of 2015 we will initiate lifetime testing, followed by thermal/vacuum (TVAC) and vibration testing to demonstrate that the design is at TRL 6.

Citation Download Citation

Michael Albert, Kent Puffenburger, Tom Schum, Fran Fitzpatrick, Slava Litvinovitch, Darrell Jones, Joseph Rudd, and Floyd Hovis "UV lifetime laser demonstrator for space-based applications", Proc. SPIE 9612, Lidar Remote Sensing for Environmental Monitoring XV, 961209 (2 September 2015); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2191188

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