Extremely low beam divergence illumination system for laser radar applications

Il'ya P. Agurok; Barry L. Stann; Zoltan G. Sztankay

doi:10.1117/12.397804

5 September 2000 Extremely low beam divergence illumination system for laser radar applications

Il'ya P. Agurok, Barry L. Stann, Zoltan G. Sztankay

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 4035, Laser Radar Technology and Applications V; (2000) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.397804
Event: AeroSense 2000, 2000, Orlando, FL, United States

Abstract

Physical Optics Corporation (POC) is developing an innovative light illumination system for a continuous wave imaging laser radar that is being investigated at the Army Research Laboratory. The illumination system will combine the output power from a number of laser diodes into one highly collimated beam with a divergence of three angular minutes. This will provide a 10-m diameter illumination spot at a distance of 5 km, and therefore, a high-power illumination field at the object of interest. The illumination system consists of several fiber-coupled laser diodes, mechanical and optical assemblies for focusing light from every fiber to a collimator focus point, and a non-imaging beam combiner-collimator with 180 degree acceptance aperture. The outgoing clear aperture of the combiner-collimator element is about 80 mm; overall the entire illuminator is compact, light-weight, and cost- effective in mass production.

Citation Download Citation

Il'ya P. Agurok, Barry L. Stann, and Zoltan G. Sztankay "Extremely low beam divergence illumination system for laser radar applications", Proc. SPIE 4035, Laser Radar Technology and Applications V, (5 September 2000); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.397804

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