Development of a diode pumped Nd:YAG laser for asteroid sample return mission

Author

Nakayama, M. ; Yuasa, H. ; Tsuno, K. ; Mizuno, T. ; Saitoh, H.

Author_Institution

Corporate Manuf. Eng. Center, Toshiba Corp., Yokohama, Japan

Volume

1

fYear

2001

fDate

15-19 July 2001

Abstract

We have been developing a diode pumped Nd:YAG laser with 12 mJ output energy for a LIDAR system which is used on a sample return mission of a near-Earth asteroid. The laser was required to display both optical performance for the LIDAR and the durability and resistance of a spaceborne component. We succeeded by applying such techniques as laser design, device screening, gluing fixation of optics, passive cooling and structure analysis. The prototype-model of the laser satisfied all of the required specifications. Also, its weight was realized to be less than300 g with an Mg alloy frame.

Keywords

aerospace instrumentation; asteroids; neodymium; optical pumping; optical radar; solid lasers; 12 mJ; 300 g; LIDAR system; MUSES-C asteroid inquiry program; Mg alloy frame; YAG:Nd; YAl5O12:Nd; asteroid sample return mission; device screening; diode pumped Nd:YAG laser; laser design; near-Earth asteroid; passive cooling; spaceborne component; structure analysis; Cooling; Diodes; Displays; Laser excitation; Laser radar; Optical design; Optical design techniques; Optical devices; Optical pumping; Pump lasers;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Lasers and Electro-Optics, 2001. CLEO/Pacific Rim 2001. The 4th Pacific Rim Conference on

Conference_Location

Chiba, Japan

Print_ISBN

0-7803-6738-3

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/CLEOPR.2001.967966

Filename

967966