Tunable Waveguide CO2 Laser Local Oscillators for Spaceborne Infrared Heterodyne Spectrometers

For over a decade, the technique of infrared heterodyne spectroscopy has provided sub-Doppler resolution spectra of planetary atmospheres from Earth-based telescope facilities. The goals of our current local oscillator development program are twofold: (1) to design, build, and demonstrate a totally automated, compact, space-qualifiable engineering model of an RF–excited CO2 laser local oscillator; and (2) to extend the lifetimes of such lasers to a degree where they can be seriously proposed for longterm near earth or planetary flight missions. The current status of these two research areas is discussed.