Title :
Free-space laser communications: the agony and the ecstasy
Author :
Begley, David L.
Author_Institution :
Ball Aerosp. & Technol. Corp., Boulder, CO, USA
Abstract :
By most accounts, field of free-space laser communications has been in existence for over three decades. However to date there have been few successful demonstrations of the capability of this technology. This paper presents a retrospective of past challenges, a status of the present, and a look into the future
Keywords :
optical links; satellite links; space communication links; free-space laser communications; technology; Artificial satellites; Laser theory; Military aircraft; Optical harmonic generation; Optical pumping; Optical receivers; Optical transmitters; Pump lasers; Semiconductor lasers; Space technology;
Conference_Titel :
LEOS '99. IEEE Lasers and Electro-Optics Society 1999 12th Annual Meeting
Conference_Location :
San Francisco, CA
Print_ISBN :
0-7803-5634-9
DOI :
10.1109/LEOS.1999.813467
