Rugged and compact mid-infrared solid-state laser for avionics applications

Abstract

In order to demonstrate the feasibility of a helicopter-based application using advanced laser technology, the authors have developed a rugged and compact mid-infrared solid-state laser. The requirement for the laser was to simultaneously emit at 2.3 μm and 4.0 μm wavelength at a multi-kilohertz repetition rate, the output of which can be amplitude modulated. The mid-infrared wavelength output was required in order to propagate the laser beam over several kilometres within an atmospheric transmission window.