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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Linear FM chirp laser

Patent ·
OSTI ID:6507805

The method is described of operating a laser radar system comprising: actuating a transmitter laser and a local oscillator laser to emit laser light at approximately a preselected common base frequency; frequency modulating the light of the transmitter laser in linear chirps by passing it through an electro-optical crystal disposed within the cavity of the transmitter and driving crystal with a linear chirp drive signal from a precision linear driver; sensing a portion of the laser light from the transmitter laser and the local oscillator laser to determine the base frequency thereof and adjusting the piezoelectric translators of the two lasers as a function of the sensed portion to maintain the lasers emitting at exactly the preselected base frequency; and using the balance of the light from the transmitter laser as the transmitted laser beam.

Assignee:
Hughes Aircraft Co., Los Angeles, CA
Patent Number(s):
US 4662741
OSTI ID:
6507805
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English