- 22 August 2006 -

Jenoptik to develop diode laser stacks for space LIDAR

Jena-Optronik GmbH and JENOPTIK Laserdiode GmbH are to develop a pumping source for the laser which will be at the core of a new atmospheric LIDAR* (ATLID) system. The system is part of the European Space Agency's Earth observation program and will contribute toward a better understanding of the interaction between clouds, radiation, and aerosol processes.

A corresponding order from the ESA was awarded to the European-Japanese EarthCARE mission (Earth Clouds, Aerosols and Radiation Explorer). An ATLID (Atmospheric LIDar) system is to be used for the very first time and is one of five instruments of the mission satellite and will be equipped with a laser as a light sources.

The high-power diode laser pumping source is one of the most important elements. Jena-Optronik will carry out trials on the service life of the diode stack in a vacuum over an eighteen month period and also perform environmental tests (including for radiation and vibration) to ensure that the laser operates reliably.

Diode laser stacks from JENOPTIK Laserdiode are known for their durability and reliability. With this new development project the Jenoptik Group says it is pursuing its strategy of developing new markets through synergies within the group of companies. Previously, Jenoptik's developments in the field of high-power diode lasers were aimed primarily at ensuring that these lasers can be used reliably within the industrial environment, particularly in the automotive industry and in medical technology. The results of the research from this joint project will enable Jenoptik to acquire new know-how in the use of high-power diode lasers beyond their pure industrial applications, it said.

The proposed satellite, orbiting at a height of 450 km, is intended to investigate the horizontal and vertical distribution of clouds, aerosols, and radiation as well as their interactions together, with the help of various sensors. Aerosols in particular play a major role in the chemistry of the earth's atmosphere since chemical reactions can take place between the, producing aggressive substances. ATLID will operate within a wavelength range of 355 nm and lead to a better understating of the interaction between clouds, radiation, and aerosol processes.

The group subsidiary Jena-Optronik GmbH belongs to the pioneers for space research, and develops, manufactures and distributes opto-electronic instruments and systems for both space and security applications. Over the past years, the company has become one on the leading suppliers of instruments and systems in the international aerospace market. In addition, Jena-Optronik provides comprehensive services for the interpretation of the acquired data. Jena-Optronik with about 130 highly-qualified employees is based in Jena and is a fully-owned subsidiary of the Jenoptik Group in the Sensors division.

JENOPTIK Laserdiode GmbH develops, manufactures and markets high-power diode lasers. These new laser types offer high efficiency from a very small volume. They are used chiefly as an excitation source for solid-state lasers or serve as a direct beam source in medical technology and material processing. High-power diode lasers are among the most promising types of lasers, in particular due to their application potentials in the industry. Jenoptik Laserdiode with today more than 70 employees has been part of the JENOPTIK Group since 1993 and is a company of the Laser&Optics division.

* LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging; or Laser Imaging Detection and Ranging) uses light rather than RF energy to determine distance to an object or surface. Like radar, the range to an object is determined by measuring the time delay between transmission of a pulse and detection of the reflected signal. It has application in geology, seismology, remote sensing and atmospheric physics.

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