Aeronautical use of semiconductor lasers for short optical pulses

In this paper, we investigate the feasible schemes to generate periodic optical pulses of width between several picoseconds (ps) and tens ps. Gain-switched semiconductor laser diodes are shown to be more suitable for avionics applications than mode-locked laser diodes. In the experiment, we use a low-cost Fabry-Perot laser diode to generate short optical pulse streams. A simple optical injection-locking scheme is then used to reduce the timing jitter and frequency chirp in such laser diodes, which in turn can improve the transmission performance of the generated optical pulses. It is expected that the use of gain-switched semiconductor lasers can meet the requirement of high-speed airborne communication networks or ground supporting systems at airports. Moreover, we discuss the possibility of using the pulsed semiconductor lasers to generate millimetre-wave (mm-wave) signals for future applications to airborne high-resolution, mm-wave radars.     

Fiber lasers: A future technology for lasers in space

The constraints of operation in space have largely precluded the use of conventional solid-state laser systems for applications including remote sensing, communication relays, and active laser radars. A new technology, fiber lasers, may offer all of the needed features at an affordable price. An appealing aspect of the fiber laser is that it does not need a rigid optical bench. Only the output end of the fiber need be held in rigid reference to the optical tracking system. Design, fabrication, and testing of the laser resonator is generally the most expensive and longest lead part of the effort for conventional solid-state lasers. Advances in fiber optic technology and devices mean that the "fiber laser" need not be a simple device but may be a complex system employing sophisticated technology, such as wavelength selective Bragg reflectors and nonlinear optical frequency shifters. Three companies have obtained single-mode outputs of 35 - 40 watts single mode at 1.03 - 1.1 mu.     

Fiber lasers: a future space technology

The constraints of operation in space have largely precluded the use of conventional solid-state laser systems for applications including remote sensing, communication relays, and active laser radars. A new technology, fiber lasers, may offer all of the needed features at an affordable price. An appealing aspect of the fiber laser is that it does not need a rigid optical bench. Only the output end of the fiber need be held in rigid reference to the optical tracking system. Design, fabrication, and testing of the laser resonator is generally the most expensive and longest lead part of the effort for conventional solid-state lasers. Advances in Fiber Optic technology and devices mean that the "fiber laser" need not be a simple device but may be a complex system employing sophisticated technology such as wavelength selective Bragg reflectors and nonlinear optical frequency shifters. Three companies have recently obtained single-mode outputs of 3540 watts single mode at 1.03-1.1 microns.     

Space power by ground-based laser illumination

Reducing energy storage requirements of space power systems by illuminating the photovoltaic arrays with a remotely located laser system is addressed. It is proposed that large lasers be located on cloud-free sites at one or more ground locations and that large lenses or mirrors with adaptive optical correction be used to reduce the beam spread due to diffraction or atmospheric turbulence. During the eclipse periods or lunar night, the lasers illuminate the solar arrays to a level sufficient to provide operating power. Two applications are discussed: illumination of geosynchronous orbit satellites and illumination of a moonbase power system. Issues for photovoltaic receivers for such a system are discussed     

激光陀螺光学加工的特点

阐述了激光陀螺光学加工的特点。指出激光陀螺的光学加工是本着构成满足特定要求的激光谐振腔的目的,以谐振腔工作时的性能要求为依据,采用其自身特有的打孔和抛光工艺,来严格保证孔的直线度、孔与孔、孔与面之间位置度公差要求。其中涉及的大深径比细长孔加工、不规则内孔抛光、超光滑表面加工及相对已成形孔有严格位置、角度精度要求的面形抛光更是突出了激光陀螺光学加工的特色。     

谐振式光纤陀螺用激光器最优工作区间探究

激光器为谐振式光纤陀螺(R-FOG)的关键器件,根据R-FOG对激光器的要求,提出了一种R-FOG用激光器最佳工作点及最优工作区间的确立方法,制定了激光器性能自动化测试方案,得到激光器光功率、中心波长与电流、温度的变化关系。由此推导出2个激光器电流与温度的最佳工作点,并利用拍频检测原理确立2个激光器电流与温度的最优工作区域。激光器最优工作区域的掌握,为其应用于R-FOG提供了详实的参数指标。     

Intersatellite laser crosslinks

Intersatellite laser crosslinks (ISL) provide a method of communication that has significantly increased the data throughput that can be managed over typical RF communication systems, and has significant growth potential. Optical communications offer very wide bandwidths which can be effectively utilized with wavelength division multiplexing techniques. The data rate growth potential is well beyond the few gigabit per second range of RF technology. The use of lasers in transmitting optical data takes advantage of its small wavelength and low beam divergence to send highly directed signals over significant distances with controlled losses in intensity. The high directivity of the laser aids in resistance to jamming communications between satellites, or between satellites and ground stations. Various intersatellite laser optical crosslink system are discussed including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Laser Intersatellite Transmission Experiment (LITE), the McDonnell Douglas Electronic Systems Company Laser Crosslink System, and The Ball Aerospace Optical Intersatellite Link,in order to display the various subsystem and their implementations. Link budget calculations are performed on the most commonly used modulation formats to determine system parameters necessary to close the crosslink. Background is provided on primal system architectures and methods of laser communication, as well as presently implemented systems. The authors provide some insights on where ISL systems have opportunity to increase their data throughput and reduce acquisition time     

金属材料激光表面改性与高性能金属零件激光快速成形技术研究进展

 简要报道本实验室目前在先进航空金属材料激光表面改性及高性能金属零件激光快速成形技术研究与应用的新进展。主要内容包括 :(1 )钛合金耐磨阻燃激光表面合金化与激光熔覆表面改性技术;(2 )刷式密封及指尖密封跑道高温自润滑耐磨涂层新材料及其激光熔覆制备新技术;(3 )难熔金属硅化物复合材料高温耐磨耐蚀多功能涂层新材料及激光熔覆涂层技术;(4 )高性能 /梯度性能钛合金及高温合金结构件激光快速成形技术。     

光学基片表面软质抛光胶体粒子的激光清洗

介绍了光学基片表面软质抛光胶体粒子激光清洗的基本方法、原理和实验装置,并通过对含有污染微粒的基片表面进行激光清洗,获得了高洁净表面的光学基片.     

Modeling and Experimental Investigation of Laser Drilling with Jet Electrochemical Machining

As two kinds of defects, recast layers and spatters, commonly accompanied by laser-drilled holes always prevent the laser drilling technique from extending its applications in aerospace and aircraft industries, therefore, a novel hybrid process incorporating laser drilling with jet electrochemical machining (JECM-LD) has been developed to solve these problems as well as improve the overall quality of laser-drilled holes. It is executed by directing an electrolyte jet coaxially aligned with a laser beam onto the workpiece surface. During the process, the electrolyte jet produces electrochemical reaction with the surface material, effective cooling of it and carries away the process scraps. A two-dimensional mathematical model is proposed to describe the shape of the holes machined by JECM-LD. The model is verified through comparison between the results from simulation and those from experiments conducted on the test pieces made of 321 stainless steel 0.5 mm thick processed by the pulsed Nd:YAG laser at second harmonic wavelength. An examination of the experimental results under an optical microscope discovers that, by contrast with the laser drilling in air, the JECM-LD has effectively removed the recast layers and spatters, but its efficiency dropped by about 30%.     

全方位旋转分离式激光推力器概念设计

为了更好的研究激光推进,提出了全方位360°可旋转的分离式激光推进发动机概念及其构型设计,其结构主要特点是:光学系统和推力系统彻底分离,光学系统只经过2次反射聚焦,结构简单;光学系统可以360°改变激光接收方向,以适应各种轨道条件;采用双光束、单/双发动机构型,可以降低单台激光器的功率,较平稳的实现激光器接力。对激光飞行器入轨轨道编制程序并进行数值计算。计算结果显示,为了更好的将飞行器推入近地轨道,则需采用较大冲量耦合系数的材料作为烧蚀工质,且比冲不宜过大。     

空间三轴激光陀螺双通道调腔技术研究

反射镜的复用减小了空间三轴激光陀螺的体积,但也增加了其调腔难度。传统调腔技术沿用单轴激光陀螺的调腔模式对空间三轴激光陀螺进行调腔,步骤复杂且耗时较长。针对此问题,结合空间三轴激光陀螺的结构特点,分析了传统调腔技术效果欠佳的原因,并提出了一种双通道调腔技术。最后搭建了实验样机,利用双通道调腔技术对空间三轴激光陀螺进行调腔,并与传统调腔技术进行了对比。结果表明,在相同失准误差的要求下,利用双通道调腔技术可使空间三轴激光陀螺的调腔时间减少约70%。     

Laser Velocimeter for Wind Tunnel Measurements

Laser velocimetry is an optical technique used to make local measurements of mean velocity and turbulence in fluid flows without disturbing them. Laser velocimetry principles are briefly recalled; the optical and mechanical elements making up a velocimeter are described. Their purpose is to create two laser beams of equal intensity which are focused and crossed in a probe volume ? where a fringe pattern is formed; the light scattered by submicron particles passing through ? is collected by an optics rigidly connected to the emitting optics and focused on a photomultiplier. Among the various signal processing techniques, counters are now widely used, in connection with minicomputers. The different means used to determine the velocity sign and to measure simultaneously two components of the velocity are described; the simultaneous measurement of the three velocity components is more a matter of technology and cost than a theoretical problem. The modular operational velocimeter developed at ONERA is described; as examples of application, some typical results obtained in different aerodynamic flows are reported.     

光纤F—P腔压力传感器的研究进展

光纤F—P腔压力传感器因其独有的优点广泛应用于军事、民用领域。国内外诸多高校、科研院所都在对其进行研究。本文介绍了光纤F—P腔压力传感器的研究进展,对全光纤结构F-P压力传感器、激光加工微型光纤压力传感器、二氧化硅膜片压力传感器的结构和制作过程进行了总结,并对利用MEMS制作压力传感器的工艺进行了详述,对比分析了不同加工工艺下传感器的性能及其优缺点。     

地基激光清除空间碎片过程建模与仿真

 空间碎片对人类航天活动的影响越来越大,用地基高能脉冲激光清除空间碎片被认为是一种可行手段。分析了地基激光清除空间碎片的原理,建立了碎片清除过程轨道动力学模型,通过选取两种典型的ps级和ns级激光器,对空间碎片的清除效果进行了仿真计算。结果表明:对于800 km和1 500 km轨道高度上的某典型空间碎片,两种激光器均不能在其一次过顶将其清除,需多次过顶才能达到清除效果;在进入大气层烧毁前,均需烧蚀一定的质量,而且轨道高度越高,烧蚀质量越多;ps级激光器比ns级激光器具有优势,15 kJ、 10 ns、 2 Hz的ns级激光器清除800 km和1 500 km轨道高度上的碎片所需总能量分别是150 J、1 ps、 65 Hz的ps级激光器的2.95倍和3.31倍。研究结果可为碎片清除方案制定和地基激光器参数选择提供依据。     

Manufacturing With Lasers Developments and Opportunities

Developments and opportunities for manufacturing with lasers are considered in three broad themes. Process enhancements, in particular hybrid-laser arc welding and twin spot laser welding are described. Two examples of novel manufacturing processes (laser joining of aluminium to steel and laser direct metal deposition) are considered. Finally, a new laser source (Yb: YAG fibre laser) is introduced as an additional competing processing capability.     

Optical Ranging System Employing a High Power Injection Laser Diode

For many military applications small, lightweight range finders are required that operate at a high pulse repetition rate. It will be shown that a ranging system with an injection laser in the transmitter can fulfill these requirements. The performance of an optical ranging system employing a pulsed gallium arsenide laser diode transmitter, with peak powers up to 100 watts at room temperature is described. After a brief review of fundamental system parameters, calculations of the range capability of the system are given, based upon the Poisson distribution of photoelectron statistics. A discussion is presented on the experimental support of theoretical analysis.     

超声速空腔流动波系演化及噪声控制研究进展

空腔结构在先进飞行器和动力装置中应用十分广泛,如飞机内埋武器舱、起落架舱、导弹光学头罩、超燃冲压发动机燃烧室、推力矢量发动机喷口等。这些空腔结构在实际应用中普遍面临严峻的气动噪声问题。研究表明,空腔噪声的产生与腔内非定常流动和复杂波系结构关系密切。对超声速空腔流致噪声已开展的研究进行综述,从而为系统地认识波系结构的演化规律、噪声产生机理和噪声控制机理提供参考。首先,介绍了闭式、过渡式和开式3种不同类型超声速空腔流动的主要特点,针对气动噪声最为严重的开式空腔流动,分析了7种典型波系结构形成、传播和相互作用等规律。然后,从空腔压力振荡反馈回路的4个关键环节出发,分析了当前广泛应用的3种压力反馈模型的异同。最后,总结梳理了超声速空腔噪声控制的5条路径,指出在第5条控制路径"干扰反馈激波的传播"研究方面存在的不足。并指出了当前研究存在的部分问题,就未来研究方向提出了建议。     

Optical communication systems for avionics

Avionic information processing and transmission requirements are increasing geometrically, with no end in sight, The only feasible way to meet them is to incorporate fiber-optic communication systems into avionic platforms, Such systems can be employed to replace standard electronic components, to augment existing systems, or to enable new technologies. In this paper, we survey the field of low-power communication systems from the avionics engineering perspective. We review the fundamental merits of optical fiber for information transmission and discuss various information modulation schemes. These modulation techniques determine the performance requirements for laser transmitters, We describe the horizontal- and vertical-cavity semiconductor lasers currently available for these systems, and measure their performance against the additional environmental constraints of avionics platforms. Finally, we outline expected near- and far-term trends in system and device development