Short pulse CO2 laser for ranging and target identification

摘要

A short pulse CO2 transverse electrode discharge at atmospheric pressure (TEA) laser device for ranging and target identification which uses an electro-optics Pockels Cell modulator to chop the transmitted laser beam into a train of 0.5 to 2 nanosecond pulses and a broadband receiver for observing the time broadened reflected signals that results from integration of the finite depths of the targets. Because a target has a unique three dimensional profile, the target signature may be identified by comparison with known signatures previously generated by computer simulation or field measurements. The present shortened pulse laser transmitter and a plurality of receiver field-of-view options meet the temporal and signal-to-noise requirements for pattern recognition. The device can be used to provide high accuracy target ranging along with target identification.