Nd: YAG Laser-Pumped Raman-Shifted Methane Laser as an Eye-safe Laser Rangefmder

  • Jai Paul Dudeja Institute of Armament Technology, Pune
Keywords: Military rangefinder, Glass laser

Abstract

In this article, a feasibility study of the design and performance of a laser rangefinder emitting at an eye-safe wavelength of 1.54 micron, is reported. It is a Raman-shifted laser where an Nd:YAG laser emitting at a wavelength of 1.06 micron is used as pumping source that is incident on a Raman cell containing methane gas at a very high pressure, rsulting in the Stokes radiation at 1.54 micron. Conversion efficiencies as higb as 40 per cent have been reported so far by some workers and continued efforts are on to increase this value close tothe theoretical Qmits. A comparative performance of this laser, proposed as a futuristic military rangefinder, is studied vis-a-vis commonly used Nd:YAG lasers as well as more recent rangefinders using CO2 lasers. A comparison of this laser emitting at 1.54 micron,with Er : glass laser emitting at the same wavelength, is also discussed.

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Published
2013-07-01
How to Cite
Dudeja, J. (2013). Nd: YAG Laser-Pumped Raman-Shifted Methane Laser as an Eye-safe Laser Rangefmder. Defence Science Journal, 39(3), 221-232. https://doi.org/10.14429/dsj.39.4768
Section
General Papers