Dual mode laser target designator/rangefinder with an optical parametric oscillator-optical parametric amplifier (OPO-OPA) converter

US10852432B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc. · US

Inventors

• David P. Kelly · Nashua, US
• John C. McCarthy · Compton, US
• Christopher A. Miller · Midland, US
• Hermanus Stephanus Pretorius · Deerfield, US
• Katherine J. Snell · Nashua, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 15, 2016
• Grant date: Dec 1, 2020
• Expiry date: Nov 4, 2038

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G02F1/39
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

The current disclosure is directed to an apparatus and method of a Laser Designator/Rangefinder (LDR) having two wavelengths of 1064 nm and 1572 nm. The 1064 nm wavelength laser is generated by a pump diode by exciting Nd:YAG medium (source). The 1572 nm wavelength laser is produced using an OPO-OPA converted which is located in a by-pass path. Because the 1572 nm wavelength uses near diffraction limited signal, it provides long range identification and tracking capability needed for advanced tactical platforms, while using the smallest transmit aperture, in a low Size, Weight and Power Consumption (SWaP) package.