Abstract
We report on the design and preliminary development of a micro laser (MILD) breadboard (BB). The laser source is designed to be used as the transmitter unit of a laser altimeter for planetary investigations. The reference scenario is the ESA BepiColombo mission to Mercury (presently scheduled to be launched in 2012) but possible applications to minor solar system bodies may be included.
In order to fulfil the laser source requirements for this kind of application we adopted a master-oscillator-power-amplifier (MOPA) scheme. Analysis of the MO efficiency, pulse duration and beam characterisation in different resonator configurations is described together with the preliminary PA performance on a ± 10 °C temperature range.
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A.E. Siegman, Lasers (University Science Books, Mill Valley, CA, 1986), pp. 746–747
W. Koechner, Solid-State Laser Engineering, 5th. rev. edn. (Springer, Berlin, 1999), pp. 469–473
See the ISO standards 11146-1, Lasers and laser-related equipment-test methods for laser beam widths, divergence angle and beam propagation factor – Part 1: stigmatic and simple astigmatic beams and 11146-3 Lasers and laser-related equipment-test methods for laser beam widths, divergence angle and beam propagation factor – Part 3: Alternative test methods and geometrical laser beam classification and propagation
M. Ciofini, E. Favilla, A. Lapucci, E. Sani, Opt. Laser Technol. 39, 1380 (2007)
W. Koechner, Solid-State Laser Engineering, 5th. rev. edn. (Springer, Berlin, 1999), pp. 152–176
M. Ostermeyer, D. Mudge, P.J. Veitch, J. Munch, Appl. Opt. 45, 5368 (2006)
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PACS
42.55.Xi; 42.60.By; 42.60.Da
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Ciofini, M., Favilla, E., Lapucci, A. et al. MILD: a laser altimeter transmitter for a Mercury planetary orbiter. Appl. Phys. B 92, 431–438 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00340-008-3131-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00340-008-3131-2