Dual Alexandrite Laser for Autonomous Lidar Applications

NASA's Lidar Atmospheric Sensing Experiment (LASE), a joint effort of the Langley Research Center and the Goddard Space Flight Center, is a first step toward the realization of the agency's goal of developing autonomous Differential Absorption Lidar (DIAL) instruments for future airborne and spaceborne remote sensing applications. The scientific goal of the first phase of the LASE program is to measure water vapor, aerosol, and cloud profiles from a high altitude ER-2 (extended range U-2) aircraft. The science motivation and overall system concept has been presented previously [1]. The present paper will discuss the design and performance characteristics of the Tunable Laser Subsystem (TLS) being developed at the Goddard Space Flight Center.