Development of an All-Solid-State Raman Laser for Ozone DIAL Measurements

In order to measure atmospheric ozone with the DIAL technique, the laser transmitter must generate suitable on-line and off-line wavelength pulse pairs. Preliminary experiments1 at NASA LaRC suggested that the solid state Raman shifting material, Ba(NO3)2, could be utilized to produce these pulse pairs. A Raman oscillator pumped at 532 nm by a frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser can create first Stokes laser output at 563 nm and second Stokes output at 599 nm. With a frequency doubler, UV output at 281 nm and 299 nm can be subsequently obtained. This all-solid state system can be very compact and has the potential to be very efficient and reliable. Such attributes are essential for the next generation of airborne or space-borne lidar systems.