Optimizing coherent lidar performance with graded-reflectance laser resonator optics

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Laser Physics

Background:

• Unstable laser resonators are crucial for high-power laser systems.
• Conventional unstable resonators face limitations in power transmission efficiency.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate enhanced power transmission efficiency in unstable laser cavities.
• To explore the application of these enhanced cavities in coherent lidar systems.

Main Methods:

• Designing and analyzing unstable laser cavities with graded-reflectance output couplers.
• Comparing the performance of these novel cavities against conventional diffractively coupled unstable resonators.

Main Results:

• Tailored graded-reflectance output couplers significantly enhance overall power transmission efficiency.
• The proposed design offers superior performance compared to conventional unstable resonators.

Conclusions:

• Graded-reflectance output coupler unstable laser cavities offer a pathway to improved laser system efficiency.
• These advancements are particularly relevant for space-based coherent lidar applications.