Abstract

Solid-state laser developments, including diode laser pumping, miniaturization, and new materials, have made compact, efficient, and long-lived lasers in the 1 to 2 μm range available.[1] In addition, high-quantum-efficiency receivers operating at room temperature exist in this range. Consequently, solid-state laser radars are being considered for many applications. For single-pulse coherent radar the product of the range resolution ΔR and the velocity resolution Δv, referred to as the product resolution, is equal to cλ/4, where λ, is the wavelength of the radiation. This product resolution improves (decreases) with decreasing wavelength (Fig. 1) providing further argument for the relatively short wavelength of the solid-state laser.

© 1991 Optical Society of America