Abstract: A substrate of a dimensionally-stable material is formed with precision m cavities therein for various linear or nonlinear optical elements or electro-optical elements such as lenses, beam splitters, reflectors, detectors, polarizers, Kerr cells, Pockel cells, etc. Various openings are also made in the substrate for function as optical paths or waveguides. The elements are then bonded into their respective cavities by glueing or soldering; the optical system thus formed is sealed in an air-tight housing.

Abstract: The tail of a carbon-dioxide (CO.sub.2) transverse electrode discharge at mospheric pressure (TEA) laser pulse optical signal is pulse code modulated by a Pockels Cell. A modulation depth of 100% is obtained to prevent high false alarm rates under dynamic transmission conditions. The device external to the laser cavity will extend the capabilities of the CO.sub.2 TEA laser by using a tail for information transfer while preserving the gain switch spike for rangefinding. A high repetition rate is achieved using a power supply that electrically charges and discharges the Pockels Cell which, in turn, activates the polarization switch.

Abstract: A short pulse CO.sub.2 transverse electrode discharge at atmospheric pressure (TEA) laser device for ranging and target identification which uses an electro-optics Pockels Cell modulator to chop the transmitted laser beam into a train of 0.5 to 2 nanosecond pulses and a broadband receiver for observing the time broadened reflected signals that results from integration of the finite depths of the targets. Because a target has a unique three dimensional profile, the target signature may be identified by comparison with known signatures previously generated by computer simulation or field measurements. The present shortened pulse laser transmitter and a plurality of receiver field-of-view options meet the temporal and signal-to-noise requirements for pattern recognition. The device can be used to provide high accuracy target ranging along with target identification.