Abstract: A system for observing a field of view including a light transmitter and a light detector. A path is defined between the transmitter and the detector. The light transmitter generates substantially coherent light onto a transmit portion of a light path and the light detector is positioned in a receive portion of the light path defined by reflected light from some of the target locations. The system includes a component for configuring at least a portion of the light path such that a subset of the plurality of potential target points are included in the light path.

Abstract: A laser device for producing laser radiation at an eyesafe wavelength from a diode-pumped solid-state laser. The device consists of three stages. The first stage is a laser diode whose output pumps the second stage. The second stage is a guided-wave laser or guided-wave Raman-shifted laser whose output pumps into the upper laser level of the Erbium laser dopant of the third stage. The third stage is an Erbium-doped solid-state crystalline-host laser whose output wavelength is in the eyesafe region. One embodiment of the device is: a cw laser diode with a wavelength in the range 0.9 to 1.0 microns, which pumps a guided-wave laser doped with Ytterbium and Erbium that produces laser output with a wavelength near 1.5 microns, which further pumps an Erbium-doped crystal laser that produces laser output with a wavelength in the eyesafe region near 1.6 microns.

Abstract: In a laser radar (lidar) system, a Doublet Pulse is generated by injection-seeded aborted cavity dumping of a solid-state laser. The doublet pulse provides coherent Doppler lidar systems a substantial time bandwidth product (TB) with a very modest processing requirement. The waveform format comprises a pair of pulselets, each of duration .tau., separated by T seconds. The range resolution is governed by the pulselet duration .tau., while the velocity precision is governed by one over the pulselet separation, T. Ambiguities in the velocity measurement arise as a result of the periodic structure of the waveform and occur every .lambda./2T m/sec, where .lambda. is the operating wavelength. These ambiguities are removed by conventional de-aliasing algorithms as well as through the generation and processing of higher order pulse waveforms.

Abstract: This invention is an optical device for laser sources, particularly for injection-seeded laser sources. The invention is an acousto-optic element used within a laser cavity to satisfy three functions--injection-seeding, frequency-shifting, and Q-switching. Use of this device rather than separate devices for each function increases reliability and lowers cost, while providing a large injection-signal into the laser cavity.

Abstract: A coherent laser radar system operating at an eyesafe wavelength above 1.4 microns has been provided for measurement of the position and velocity of hard targets and aerosol targets, said system comprising a frequency-stable master laser and an injection-seeded Q-switched slave laser for generating signals for transmission to the target. Means for obtaining highly accurate velocity and range measurements are provided. Data from signal transmissions and receptions taken over a range of angles are analyzed to map target positions and velocities in time and space.