Duration: 18 months
The idea is to evaluate the potential of a new optical frequency conversion scheme based on a new Optical Parametric Oscillator (OPO) Architecture. The idea is to benefit from the heritage of 1μm lasers developed for space Lidars and investigate the potential for space of a very simple frequency conversion architecture, to address the required wavelength for probing CO2, CH4 or water vapour absorption lines in the near-infrared by Differential Absorption Lidar (DIAL), primarily in the Integrated Path DIAL (IPDA) configuration. The technology is based on specific nonlinear optical crystals, with backward phase matching (BWOPO - Backward Wave OPO), which are uniquely available in Europe. The BWOPO configuration allows oscillation without cavity mirrors, which would lead to more simple and robust OPO solutions for Lidar emitters based on 1μm lasers followed by frequency downconversion. Moreover, it emits narrow linewidth emission in the pulsed nanosecond regime, well suited for IPDA and DIAL Lidar, without the need for injection seeding, which would further simplify the set-up.
