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Remote Sensing & Imaging Lasers
What are 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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The 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.
The 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.
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.
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.
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.
The REP series includes high-performance, tunable, single-frequency (DFB-like) diode lasers and Fabry-Perot laser diodes in wavelengths from 1270nm 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. For a complete module incorporating the fiber-coupled butterfly package with an integrated current driver and TEC controller, designed for ease of operation, it is the ideal platform for high stability gas detection or remote sensing. 
The 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.
