document title / titre du document TRP W ORK PLAN ... - emits - ESA

TRP Work Plan 2005-2007
Description of Activities
TEC-SB/7935/dc
12/Feb/09
2.- Science / Robotic Exploration Preparation
2.1 - Missions in Development Phase: BEPI-COLOMBO
TRP Reference:
Title:
T201-02MM
Development of microlasers for laser altimetry on future planetary orbiters
The realisation of a diode pumped microlaser for planetary altimetry requires the development of a monolithic solid-state
device providing efficient coherent pulsed emission with high repetition rates and modest pulse energies. The active material
that provides these characteristics can be achieved by Nyodymium (Nd) or Yterbium (Yb) doped host materials, which
provide very good conversion efficiencies to fundamental wavelengths in the 1 micron region. The Yb doped systems have
better energy storage capability and thus may be a better option for the pulsed microlaser. The high repetition rates can be
provided by a q-switch, which, in the monolithic case, would be a passive and not an active device. The passive unit is a
saturable absorber and avoids the need for a high voltage source, as would be required for an electro-optic q-switch in a
discrete resonator. This has many obvious advantages for space operations. The laser dimension can be a small as 1mm3 or
less for Continuous Wave operations. For pulsed operation the need to be below surface and bulk damage thresholds will
dictate the eventual size of the laser due to laser fluence levels being dependent on beam diameter. Such a system does not
presently exist in Europe and is deemed to be a requirement for Europe to provide a viable alternative to the conventional low
repetition rate high energy systems which are currently available.
Deliverables:
Demonstrator of a micro-laser transmitter.
Current TRL: TRL2 Target TRL: TRL5 Application Need/Date: TRL5 by 2008
Application/Mission: Bepi-Colombo, JEP/NEO Contract Duration: 24 months
SW Clause : - Dossier0 Ref.: T-657
Consistency with Harmonisation
Roadmap and Conclusions:
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