Rugged and cost-efficient solid-state laser platform for LiDARs in harsh environments

Abstract

Solid-state lasers for LiDAR applications in harsh environments are often large, heavy and expensive. Fraunhofer ILT and RUPHOS cooperate in development and manufacturing of a rugged Nd:YAG-based laser platform which has a small footprint and is cost-efficient. It can in its current state deliver pulses with ns duration, energies in the mJ range and Watt-level average powers, but can be scaled in power and pulse energy. The achieved beam quality is almost diffraction limited. The soldering of all optical elements to the baseplate does not only guarantee long-term mechanical stability, but also zero outgassing of components, which leads to long laser lifetime due to the absence of organic materials. This laser platform inherits its design principles from the space-qualified MERLIN laser technology but has transitioned it, targeting more cost-sensitive applications.

Authors 2

1. Bastian Gronloh
   Affiliation as printed

   RUPHOS - Rugged Photonics Systems GmbH (Germany)

2. Dieter H. H. Hoffmann Aachen Fraunhofer-Institut für Lasertechnik ILT

   Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology

   Affiliation as printed

   Fraunhofer-Institut für Lasertechnik ILT (Germany)