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An acousto-optic modulator for a CO2 laser rangefinder using heterodyne detection

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Abstract

The ability to superimpose arbitrary modulation waveforms on a CW laser beam makes the acoustooptic modulator suitable for an important task: to apply modern microwave radar electronic signalprocessing and signal-generation techniques to heterodyne CO2 laser radar systems. The fundamental constraints on modulator design are first presented graphically in a novel treatment. The fabrication of 50–70 MHz germanium-lithium niobate modulators for a CO2 laser radar is then described. Experimental measurements of efficiency (about 4% per electrical watt transducer input power) and rise time (∼ 40 ns) are finally presented.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Royal Signals and Radar Establishment, St Andrews Road, Gt Malvern, Worcestershire, UK

    B. S. Collins, K. F. Hulme & N. A. Lowde

Authors
  1. B. S. Collins
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  2. K. F. Hulme
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  3. N. A. Lowde
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Collins, B.S., Hulme, K.F. & Lowde, N.A. An acousto-optic modulator for a CO2 laser rangefinder using heterodyne detection. Opt Quant Electron 12, 419–426 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00620101

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00620101

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