Ultra-compact transmitter for space-based lidar

Kegan Orlowski; Khoa Le; Corey Dickson; Nigel Martin; Nicholas Sawruk

doi:10.1117/12.2587989

12 April 2021 Ultra-compact transmitter for space-based lidar

Kegan Orlowski, Khoa Le, Corey Dickson, Nigel Martin, Nicholas Sawruk

Proceedings Volume 11744, Laser Radar Technology and Applications XXVI; 117440E (2021) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2587989
Event: SPIE Defense + Commercial Sensing, 2021, Online Only

Abstract

Fibertek, Inc designed, built, and tested an ultra-compact, lightweight flash lidar laser transmitter for NASA's entry, descent, and landing applications. The laser transmitter can be used in various commercial applications that benefit from SWaP improvements. The laser transmitter has a volume of .5 Liters, weighs .810 kilograms, and has a power draw less than 20W. The system produces an output pulse energy >10mJ, a pulse-width of about 5ns at a pulse repetition frequency of 5-30 Hz, and a beam quality of M2< 2. The use of additive manufacturing in the design of the space qualifiable laser is a key innovation that allowed us to reduce the size and weight of the laser transmitter. Fibertek, in partnership with researches at the Pennsylvania State University Center for Innovative Materials Processing, developed state-of-the-art additive methods to manufacture our topology optimized bench and covers. The laser transmitter combines our ultra-compact resonator and electronics into a single deliverable TRL-5 Package. We achieved a 5x reduction in volume from previous generation Fibertek flash lidar transmitters with a weight under a kilogram. Another innovation is the development of an athermal integrating-box pump head design. The pump head design allows the laser transmitter to operate over a wide range of temperatures with purely conductive cooling. We tested a temperature range of 15C to 50C without significant change in performance. The athermal design allows the laser transmitter to perform in a wide range of environments.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Kegan Orlowski, Khoa Le, Corey Dickson, Nigel Martin, and Nicholas Sawruk "Ultra-compact transmitter for space-based lidar", Proc. SPIE 11744, Laser Radar Technology and Applications XXVI, 117440E (12 April 2021); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2587989

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available

Members: $17.00

Non-members: $21.00 ADD TO CART

PROCEEDINGS
PRESENTATION

WATCH
PRESENTATION SAVE TO MY LIBRARY

GET CITATION

KEYWORDS

Transmitters

LIDAR

Additive manufacturing

Head

Laser applications

Laser development

Temperature metrology

Show All Keywords

Keywords/Phrases

Search In:

Publication Years