Abstract

The remote identification of atomic and molecular species as well as particulates from a Space platform requires pulsed lasers for active LIDAR detection or CW lasers for passive heterodyne detection. The detection of aerosols and water vapor profiles is best accomplished using lasers which operate in the visible to near infrared. In spaceborne missions, they must be mechanically rigid to survive the launch, have a long operating lifetime, and most importantly have high operating efficiency. To meet these objectives NASA is actively considering solid state lasers which are pumped by semiconductor laser diode arrays.

© 1985 Optical Society of America