Remote Sensing & Imaging Lasers

What are Remote Sensing & Imaging Lasers?

Remote sensing and imaging lasers are widely employed in the defense, aerospace, industrial and other sectors for various applications. These pulsed lasers play a crucial role in target detection and tracking systems, supporting reconnaissance and surveillance missions. They enable accurate mapping of terrains, assist in missile defense systems, and enhance situational awareness by providing real-time data about the environment. Additionally, they contribute to navigation and guidance systems, offering precise positioning, obstacle detection, and landing capabilities. Overall, remote sensing and imaging lasers provide advanced capabilities for defense and aerospace markets, enhancing operational effectiveness and ensuring mission success.

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Remote Sensing & Imaging Applications

Bathymetry Lasers: Laser bathymetry takes advantage of the absorption properties of water to map the depths of large bodies of water including lakes and oceans from a passing airplane. This is achieved by shooting two different pulsed lasers whose pulses are synchronized, to the water below and using time-of-flight (TOF) laser radar to determine the total round-trip distance. Traditionally, high pulse energy lasers, one outputting 1064 nm and one with 532 nm are used for this application.

LIDAR Lasers: LIDAR laser sources are the key component within LIDAR systems, the optical analog to traditional radar. Because optical frequencies are much higher than their radio wave counterparts, lasers allow for much higher bandwidth signals and therefore much higher resolution detection. Typically, short-pulsed lasers are utilized for stationary targets, and single-frequency lasers are utilized for measuring the speed of moving objects. Higher powers allow for longer detection distances.

3D Scanning Lasers: Similar to laser radar, 3D laser scanning is a non-contact, non-destructive technology that digitally captures the shape of objects creating a point cloud of data from the surface of an object.  The primary differentiator between laser radar and 3D scanning is the distance from the target. In this application, the laser is typically only few inches from the object under investigation. Both pulsed and CW lasers can be used, and typically visible wavelengths, where shorter wavelengths allow for higher precision/resolution.

Recommended Laser Series

We recommend the following laser series options for Remote Sensing & Imaging applications. There can often be a ton of options and many variables. Contact us today for help finding the perfect laser for your specific application!

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FL CW/CW Modulated Series

FL CW/CW Modulated SeriesThe FL CW/CW Modulated Series of CW fiber lasers is manufactured to Telcordia standards and is suitable for various applications with powers up to 100W at 1um, 30W at 1.5um, and 40W at 2um. Available in both OEM and Turnkey formats, this series offers a variety of standard and custom configurations. Available options and configurations include narrow linewidth, single frequency outputs, C and L-band broadband sources, PM fiber options, power tunability, and high-speed trig./mod.

FL-P Series

1um 1.5um Pulsed Fiber LasersThe FL-P series of pulsed fiber lasers is manufactured to Telcordia standards and is suitable for various applications with average powers up to 5W at 1um and 1.5um, peak powers up to 25kW, and pulse widths in the range of 400ps to 50ns. Available in both OEM and Turnkey formats, this series offers a variety of standard and custom configurations. Available options include pulse monitoring, int/ext triggering, TTL or LVDS input signals, extended operating temperature range, and a robust design.

Aero Series

The Aero Series is a high-energy, nanosecond pulsed DPSS laser, available at 266, 355, 532, and 1064nm, with up to 10W output power & 200mJ pulse energy at 1064. This series provides unparalleled precision and accuracy in even the most challenging environments. All models come enclosed in an extremely compact and ruggedized single unit with a conductively cooled heatsink and a water-cooled option. It comes with available options for beam expanding and collimating optics. This laser series is ideal for LIBS, spectroscopy, and Atmospheric LIDAR applications.

ER Series

The ER Series offers an ultra-compact, ultra-low SWaP, and efficient solution for those seeking high-quality diode-pumped lasers for lightweight, handheld, and portable laser range finding applications. These lasers operate at an “eye-safe” wavelength of 1.5 µm and deliver high pulse energy up to 200 µJ with a 4 ns pulse width and repetition rates from single-shot up to 10Hz with optional burst mode. The ER Series is designed with a focus on high pulse energy, short pulse width, efficient operation, and long lifetime reliability with a 10M shot lifetime rating.

KAUKAS Series

The KAUKAS series is a compact, low-SWaP line of 1.54µm “eye-safe” Er:glass lasers. These nanosecond pulsed lasers feature a compact design that makes them suitable for integration into handheld, portable devices. The lasers deliver high pulse energy, repetition rates up to 5Hz, less than 3% energy stability, and a high-quality TEM00 beam. With configurable and customizable options, these features make the KAUKAS series a versatile choice for various applications such as LIDAR & laser ranging, LIBS, metrology, and instrumentation.

Lampo Series

Image of a modern OEM laser housing made of high-grade aluminum, long silver rectangle body with fan slits, output window and stickersThe Lampo Series is a line of compact ultrafast lasers that deliver megawatt-level ps laser pulses at a selectable PRR from 50 kHz to 4 MHz. Available in IR (1064 nm), SHG (532 nm), and Deep-UV (266 nm) versions, the series offers pulse durations < 70 ps and average power up to 20W, 10W, and 1.5W respectively. With pulse energy up to 250uJ, 150uJ, and 30uJ, these lasers are ideal for a wide range of scientific, industrial, defense, medical, biological, and LIDAR applications. Built into a rugged, air-cooled single-unit laser head, these lasers are easy to operate and integrate, making them a valuable tool for sophisticated laser systems and lab applications.

REP Series

The REP series includes high-performance, tunable, single-frequency (DFB-like) diode lasers and Fabry-Perot laser diodes in wavelengths from 760nm thru 2350nm, designed to address challenges in Gas Sensing, LIDAR, Spectroscopy, and Telecom. The REP series includes high-power and narrow linewidth options, covering various product ranges at the most popular wavelengths, providing customizable units with multiple packaging options, including the Fiber coupled 14-pin butterfly, TO39 (w/TEC), and TO56.

RWLD Series

The RWLD series offers competitively priced laser diodes with high beam quality and a wide variety of products to support multiple applications. Available in a wide range of wavelengths, power levels, and packages. The RWLD wavelength options span from 405nm to 1650nm, with output powers in the range of 10 mW to 300 mW, packaged in a TO-18 package with photodiode. We also offer customized options, such as a customized wavelength, output power, or a special package to meet your specific needs.

RWLP Series

R3Z0-WSLP-905-050m-M-PD: 905nm Multimode Fiber Coupled Laser Diode

The RWLP series offers an affordable and versatile solution for your laser application needs with single-mode and multimode options and wavelengths from 405nm thru the IR region. With customizable options, our team can work with you to solve any challenges you may face. Rigorously tested for long-term reliability, the RWLP series ensures consistent performance and high beam quality. Perfect for integration, this series supports multiple applications including biological and analytical instrumentation. 

Microchip Series

Bright Microlaser Microchip SB1 Laser

The Microchip series is a line of ultra-compact, single longitudinal mode (SLM), narrow linewidth, passive q-switch, ns/ps pulsed DPSS lasers. Offering exceptional performance and versatility in a compact form factor, every model is 1:1 interchangeable, regardless of wavelength. The lasers feature pulse widths from 400 ps to 2 ns, pulse energy up to 80 µJ, and repetition rates up to 100 kHz. Available in wavelengths from the UV to the NIR, this series is designed for LIDAR, 3D scanning, LIBS, night vision, and more.

SMX Series

image of several free-space and fiber-coupled laser diode package typesThe SMX Series of US-made, high-power, thermally stable, and cost-effective InP laser diodes is available at 1470, 1550, and 1940 nm, perfect for medical, military, aerospace, LIDAR, free-space communication, and more! With a patented EPI structure, low-cost packaging, ISO certified supply chain with full lifecycle traceability, focus on ease of integration, and custom design capabilities, this laser diode family is an excellent choice for reliable, high-power InP devices.

Vento Series

Vento-532-7: 532nm Picosecond DPSS Laser

The Vento series is a compact and ruggedized sub-nanosecond DPSS laser series designed for scientific and industrial applications such as precision LIDAR and materials processing. With pulse durations down to 500 ps and repetition rates up to 200 kHz, this laser series produces a high average power of up to 25 W @ 532 nm and up to 40 W @ 1064 nm. The Vento series has many options, from beam expanding and collimating optics to a low jitter option to extended operating temperature range, up to IP68 package, remote control cbox & software, and much more.

Wedge Series

Wedge-XF-1064: 1064nm Picosecond Laser

The Wedge series of DPSS lasers is designed for OEM applications such as micromachining, LIDAR, LIBS, and more. Based on proprietary fast Q-switching technology, this series is compact, sealed, and monolithic, making them insensitive to vibrations & harsh environments. High peak powers, relatively low energy and low heat generation allow efficient ablation and non-linear interaction. Available from 266-3106nm, up to 8 mJ pulse energy @ 1064, the compact and lightweight package benefits LIDAR and aerospace applications, while short pulses provide exact time-of-flight measurements.