Abstract: A LADAR having a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter includes a laser for delivering an original beam pulse having a time duration. A nonlinear element receives the original beam pulse and outputs a multispectral incident beam pulse. For each wavelength component of the incident beam pulse, a unique wavelength-dependent variation of intensity is imparted over the time duration of the incident beam pulse. This creates a unique waveform shape for each component. Output optics direct the incident beam pulse onto a target, which reflects from the target as a scattered beam pulse. The receiver includes a single-pixel sensor for receiving the scattered beam pulse and measuring and outputting an intensity of the scattered beam pulse over time, which creates a scattered beam pulse envelope.

Abstract: An optical system including a laser system for generating a plurality of coaxial laser beams. The laser beams are combined by the laser system for generating at least two different frequency components. One or more hollow core photonic crystal fibers each filled with a noble gas receive the coaxial laser beams from the laser system and generate an idler emission having an idler frequency component according to four-wave mixing of the at least two different frequency components in the one or more hollow core photonic crystal fibers. A control system is configured to control a gas pressure of the one or more hollow core photonic crystal fibers for controlling the idler frequency component of the idler emission.