Proposal for a high-speed resonant plasma modulator with subwatt power dissipation for use in medium-IR lidar applications

Johan H. Stiens; C. De Tandt; W. Ranson; Gustaaf Borghs; Roger A. Vounckx

doi:10.1117/12.195849

9 December 1994 Proposal for a high-speed resonant plasma modulator with subwatt power dissipation for use in medium-IR lidar applications

Johan H. Stiens, C. De Tandt, W. Ranson, Gustaaf Borghs, Roger A. Vounckx

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 2310, Lidar Techniques for Remote Sensing; (1994) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.195849
Event: Satellite Remote Sensing, 1994, Rome, Italy

Abstract

Environmental sensing and atmospheric monitoring are two of the main areas where LIDAR can be used to advance our understanding of global climate changes and the effects of industrial pollution. The spectrum from the UV to the far-IR are used to sense a variety of atoms and molecules. However most of the pollutants are hydrocarbons that have their fingerprint in the region of 8 to 12 rim. This wavelength region can be partially covered by C02 lasers. Besides, their wavelength can be extended by harmonic generation to cover the 4.6 to 5.4tm range1. Other C02 laser technology applications are wind-measurements and combustion dynamics . The required short pulses can be generated with intracavity and extra-cavity modulators. An attractive approach to achieving a short pulse tunable mid-IR light source utilizes a low power tunable CW laser combined with an external widebandwidth modulator. This paper describes the underlying physical principles of a high speed C02 modulator based on the plasma effect and the design towards low electrical power dissipation.

Citation Download Citation

Johan H. Stiens, C. De Tandt, W. Ranson, Gustaaf Borghs, and Roger A. Vounckx "Proposal for a high-speed resonant plasma modulator with subwatt power dissipation for use in medium-IR lidar applications", Proc. SPIE 2310, Lidar Techniques for Remote Sensing, (9 December 1994); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.195849

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