Title: High Efficiency UV Demonstrator
Presenting Author: Floyd Hovis
Organization: Fibertek

Abstract:
A long-lived UV laser is an enabling technology for a number of high-priority, space-based lidar instruments. These include a next generation cloud and aerosol lidar that incorporates a UV channel, a direct detection 3-D wind lidar, and an ozone DIAL system. In Phase I and Phase II of this SBIR funded work Fibertek developed techniques for increasing the survivability of components in high power UV lasers and demonstrated improved operational lifetimes. In this Phase III ESTO funded effort we are designing and building a TRL 6 demonstrator that will have increased output power and a space-qualifiable package that is mechanically robust and thermally-stable. For full space compatibility, thermal control will be through pure conductive cooling. Contamination control processes and optical coatings will be chosen that are compatible with lifetimes in excess of 1 billion shots. The demonstration laser will incorporate a diode-pumped, single-frequency, Nd:YAG master oscillator and three diode pumped amplifier stages capable of providing over 750mJ per pulse of 1064nm light at 50Hz. The 1064nm output will be frequency tripled to provide greater than 350mJ pulses of 355nm light. After completing the laser module build in late 2014 we will initiate vibration, TVAC, and lifetime testing to demonstrate that the design is at TRL 6.