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Space-based application of the CAN laser to LIDAR and orbital debris remediation

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Abstract

Development of pulsed lasers for space-based science missions entail many additional challenges compared to terrestrial experiments. For systems requiring short pulses ≪1 ns with energies >100 mJ and fast repetition rates >10 kHz there are currently few if no laser architectures capable of operating with high electrical efficiency >20% and have good system stability. The emergence of a mulit-channel fiber-based Coherent-Amplifying-Network or CAN laser potentially enables such capability for space based missions. Here in this article we present an analysis of two such missions scaling up in pulse energy from ≈100 mJ for a supercontinuum LIDAR application utilising atmospheric filamentation to the higher energy demands needed for space debris remediation requiring ≈10 J pulses. This scalability of the CAN laser provides pathways for development of the core science and technology where many new novel space applications can be made possible.

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Author information

Author notes

  1. I. Dicaire

    Present address: Centre Collégial de Transfert de Technologie Optech, 1111 Lapierre St., Montreal, QC, H8N 2J4, Canada

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ecole Polytechnique, IZEST, 91128, Palaiseau, France

    M. N. Quinn, R. Soulard & G. Mourou

  2. Centre de Physique Théorique, École Polytechnique, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, 91128, Palaiseau, France

    V. Jukna & A. Couairon

  3. RIKEN, 2-1, Hirosawa, Wako, 351-0198, Japan

    T. Ebisuzaki

  4. Advanced Concepts Team, European Space Agency, PO Box 299, 2200AG, Noordwijk, The Netherlands

    I. Dicaire & L. Summerer

Authors
  1. M. N. Quinn
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  2. V. Jukna
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  3. T. Ebisuzaki
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  4. I. Dicaire
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  5. R. Soulard
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  6. L. Summerer
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  7. A. Couairon
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  8. G. Mourou
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to M. N. Quinn.

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Quinn, M.N., Jukna, V., Ebisuzaki, T. et al. Space-based application of the CAN laser to LIDAR and orbital debris remediation. Eur. Phys. J. Spec. Top. 224, 2645–2655 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1140/epjst/e2015-02577-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1140/epjst/e2015-02577-5

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