Range-finding systems are used to determine and designate targets in a variety of defense and security situations. The range-finder communicates the position of the target to the weapon system - land- or air-based, manned or unmanned.

Light-MiLES is an Innovate UK (formerly Technology Strategy Board or TSB) funded research project, running from December 2012 - May 2015. The project goals are to increase the efficiency of rangefinding systems and to reduce the system size and weight. The project consortium was headed by Thales Optronics with Gooch & Housego, Glass Technology Services, and the University of Leeds as participants.

Compact eye-safe laser transmitters are a key enabling technology for future sensor systems reducing size, weight, and power (SWaP). Solid-state lasers have been used as transmitter sources, but traditionally have had poor SWaP and were expensive. This led to the emergence of direct-diode transmitters, which are low cost and compact, but of lower performance compared to solid-state sources, limiting their deployment.

The Light-MiLES project has developed a novel eye-safe laser transmitter combining the performance of a solid-state laser with the packaging and form-factor of a diode laser device. Additionally, this novel technology and manufacturing concept has led to a significant reduction in assembly cost. Using direct-diode sources, the transmitter is now priced competitively with direct-diode technology but with superior performance:

  • Size not much larger than direct-diodes
  • Weight half of solid-state lasers
  • Power 10x than direct-diodes

The resulting laser is significantly smaller than previous designs, comprises fewer components, reduces the thermal management requirements, and enables telecom-based precision assembly techniques. All of these factors reduce cost and improve performance of the final device.

The laser transmitter is based on a diode-pumped, Er:Glass, passively Q-switch solid-state laser. It delivers single, eye-safe, pulse energies in the 1-2 mJ range with a pulse width of less than 10 ns over a wide temperature range and with good beam quality.

The unit is capable of single shot to 1 Hz repetition rate, with the potential for short bursts at higher frequencies.

Hermetically sealed for high reliability, the device measures only 32x14x10 mm (LxWxH).

Our R&D engineers leveraged their experience in developing photonic packaging for truly rugged environments (undersea, avionic, and space) for this miniature laser transmitter system. Key capabilities miniaturizing this technology included:

  • Heat dissipation management
  • Laser rod mounting
  • Passive and active components alignment
  • Epoxy bonding
  • Hermetic sealing

The source is well suited for long-range laser range-finders (LRF) or for integration into multi-platform sensor systems, such as man-portable target locators or airborne gimbals. Applications which require ultra-compact, low cost, efficient laser transmitter performance.

The transmitter will enable compact, low-cost, active imagers for further deployment into defense, security, surveillance, and traffic management.

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