Laser source requirements for coherent lidars based on fiber technology

Abstract

Fiber lasers are becoming new effective sources for coherent lidars, thanks to their spatial and spectral qualities. Allowing operation in continuous, modulated and pulsed modes, their increasing power at eyesafe wavelengths is well suited to anemometry, velocimetry, vibrometry or laser imagery. Requested laser qualities are discussed, concerning wavelength, power, pulse duration and frequency, beam shape and spectral width, and compared to existing fiber source parameters.