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Intracavity Phase Modulated Transmitter for Hybrid Lidar-Radar

L. Mullen and P. R. Herczfeld, Center for Microwave and Lightwave Engineering, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pa. and V. M. Contarino, Naval Air Warfare Center, Patuxent River, Md.

This paper discusses the development of a microwave-modulated transmitter using a bulk phase modulator for a novel hybrid lidar-radar application. Aerial lidar (light detection and ranging) is used for underwater surveillance. A pulse of blue-green optical radiation is transmitted from an airborne platform, and target information is extracted from the detected echo. Attenuation, dispersion, backscatter clutter, and particularly the lack of coherent signal processing, limit the performance of lidar.