Long cavity laser sensor for large FOV auto-tracking

摘要

The presently disclosed technique presents laser-based method and apparatus for use in remote sensing. In general, objects within a field of view are lased by a long cavity laser apparatus. Returns are detected, captured, and processed to identify actual objects of interest. These can then be communicated to a user. Over time, the actual objects of interest can be auto-tracked.

主权项

1. A laser-based, remote sensing apparatus, comprising:
a long cavity laser comprising:
a gain medium; anda segmented mirror configured to return electro-magnetic radiation (EMR) emitted from the gain medium to the gain medium;wherein the long cavity laser is configured to establish a laser beam of the EMR between the long cavity laser and a first object in a field of view (FOV) in response to a reflection of the EMR from the first object; a detector configured to:
receive EMR from the FOV, the EMR including a reflected portion of the laser beam; anddetect the laser beam based on the reflected portion; and a controller coupled to the segmented mirror and the detector, and configured to signal the segmented mirror to alter a reflectivity of a portion of the segmented mirror to thereby change an energy level of the laser beam between the long cavity laser and the first object.