Compact portable 1064-nm laser system for field calibration of laser detectors

A rugged, portable Nd:YAG standard has been developed to calibrate Navy laser detectors or systems from 0.05 mj to 120 mj at 1064 nm. The Laser Transmitter Support Standard was designed as a versatile calibration standard for accurate energy and pulsewidth measurements. It has excellent polarization ratio characteristics and can be configured to perform boresight testing. The Class IV laser system was designed to enable eye safe calibrations. The prototype standard has been used in a range of field applications including the calibration of laser transmitter test sets. The paper explains the performance specifications, capabilities, and uses of the LTSS-1064, as well as the polarization, noise, portability, and safety issues that were overcome.