Laser Radar Wavelength Selection And Trade-Offs

M. John Yoder; Douglas G. Youmans

doi:10.1117/12.960226

18 February 1989 Laser Radar Wavelength Selection And Trade-Offs

M. John Yoder, Douglas G. Youmans

Proceedings Volume 0999, Laser Radar III; (1989) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.960226
Event: O-E/Fiber LASE '88, 1988, Boston, MA, United States

Abstract

Shorter wavelength lasers have advantages over longer wavelength lasers due to their narrower beam divergence angles and larger Doppler frequency shifts. However these potential advantages may not always be useable since they pose stringent requirements on beam pointer/tracker accuracies and on the laser gain medium optical distortions (spatially and temporally). Wavelength scaling equations are discussed which numerically show these advantages and limitations. Both coherent and non-coherent systems are evaluated, but the main emphasis is on coherent systems. The advantages of shorter wavelengths are often not as great as initially perceived. The wavelength variation of target cross section and the reflected laser speckle pattern are discussed. Single speckle-lobe detection imposes wavelength dependent limits on the receiver aperture. Speckle pattern rotation and translation puts limits on coherent detection times vs. wavelength, but velocity resolution is unchanged with wavelength. Laser propagation through the atmosphere is briefly reviewed for various laser wavelengths. The "maturity" and "applicability" of laser technology is discussed as a function of laser wavelength.

Citation Download Citation

M. John Yoder and Douglas G. Youmans "Laser Radar Wavelength Selection And Trade-Offs", Proc. SPIE 0999, Laser Radar III, (18 February 1989); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.960226

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