All semiconductor laser Doppler anemometer at 1.55 μm

We report to our best knowledge the first all semiconductor Laser Doppler Anemometer (LIDAR) for wind speed determination. We will present the design and first experimental results on a focusing coherent cw laser Doppler anemometer for measuring atmospheric wind velocities in the 10 meters to 300 meters distance range. Especially, we will demonstrate that both the output power as well as the demanding coherence properties required from the laser source can be accomplished by an all semiconductor laser. Preliminary tests at a distance of 40 meters indicate a typical signal to noise ratio of 9 dB. This result is obtained at a clear day with an up-date rate of 12 Hz. (C) 2008 Optical Society of America