LASER

LASER
• Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of
Radiation
• A device produces a coherent beam of optical
radiation by stimulating electronic, ionic, or
molecular transitions to higher energy levels
 Properties of LASER
• The light emitted from a laser is
monochromatic, that is, it is of one
color/wavelength
 Lasers emit light that is highly directional
 The light from a laser is said to be coherent,
which means that the wavelengths of the laser
light are in phase in space and time..
 HISTORY
• May 17, 1960: Ted Maiman’s ruby laser
 RADAR
• Radio Detection And Ranging.
• Hertz first demonstrated the basic principles in
1886 (radio waves reflect off metallic
surfaces)
 RADAR
• use of high-speed electromagnetic waves to
determine the location (distance), the velocity,
the direction being travelled, and the
elevation (altitude) of both stationary and
non-stationary objects. These objects can
include weather formations, motor vehicles,
ships, aircraft, spacecraft, and even terrain.
 Basic Principle
• Reflection of electromagnetic waves. The
electromagnetic waves are reflected if they
meet an electrically leading surface.
• Electromagnetic energy travels through air at
a constant speed, at approximately the speed
of light (300,000 kilometers per second or
186,000 statute miles per second or 162,000
nautical miles per second).
 Basic Principle
• This energy normally travels through space in
a straight line, and will vary only slightly
because of atmospheric and weather
conditions.
USES
SIR-C radar

Shuttle photo

Radar and photographic views of erupting volcano

a. C-band ERS-1 b. L-band JERS-1 look direction
depression angle =67Þ depression angle =54Þ
look angle = 23Þ look angle = 36Þ

c. X - band look direction d. Aerial Photograph N

Shuttle Imaging Radar (SIR-C) Image of Maui