Title :
Optically pumped submillimeter laser heterodyne receivers: astrophysical observations and recent technical developments
Author_Institution :
NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, USA
fDate :
11/1/1992 12:00:00 AM
Abstract :
The use of optically pumped submillimeter lasers as a local oscillator source is discussed. The principle of operation of submillimeter lasers in heterodyne systems is examined, and a detailed description of an airborne laser receiver system is given as an example. Some ground-based and airborne laser heterodyne astrophysical observations are then reviewed. Advances in submillimeter technology, especially the miniaturization of the CW CO2 pump laser, are discussed, and advances in submillimeter lasers designs are briefly addressed
Keywords :
Schottky-barrier diodes; carbon compounds; gas lasers; microwave spectra; microwave spectrometers; mixers (circuits); optical pumping; radio receivers; radiotelescopes; submillimetre astronomical observations; submillimetre wave devices; CO2 laser; CW CO2 pump laser; THF; airborne laser receiver system; astrophysical observations; heterodyne receivers; heterodyne systems; laser heterodyne astrophysical observations; local oscillator source; miniaturization; operation; optical receivers; optically pumped submillimeter lasers; submillimeter technology; submm; technical developments; Astronomy; Laser excitation; NASA; Observatories; Optical mixing; Optical pumping; Optical receivers; Pump lasers; Space missions; Space technology;
Journal_Title :
Proceedings of the IEEE
