RECEIVERS FOR LASER RADARS
Abstract
Problems associated with receivers for laser radars were investigated experimentally and theoretically. The spontaneous emission power of a laser amplifier was calculated theoretically and compared with the experimental results obtained from a ruby laser amplifier. A high gain single pass xenon gas laser amplifier was constructed with a net gain of 48 dB/m at 3.5 microns. The 3.39 micron line of a single pass helium-neon gas amplifier was magnetically tuned and it was found that the gain-bandwidth product of the amplifier varied from 200 to 400 Mc depending upon the polarization and strength of the input signal. A survey of laser detector technology was made. Feasibility studies were made of various coherent optical data processing concepts. Synthetic aperture techniques appear to be only marginally feasible, but there is no fundamental limitation that would prevent the application of pulse compression techniques to optical radar systems. A theoretical investigation of the quantum limitations on laser radar system performance was made. These limitations are not a problem in present systems, but they will have to be considered for future, space-borne systems where high accuracy is desired.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 10, 1963
- Accession Number
- AD0425832
Entities
People
- C. R. Giuliano
- L. J. D'haenens
- R. L. Forward
- W. B. Bridges
- W. P. Brown Jr.
Organizations
- HRL Laboratories