Laser remote sensing and optical communication are two important technology areas with great potential to improve human lives and impact the global economy. Although laser remote sensing and optical communication are distinct in their application areas and marketplace, they share many common technology elements such as lasers, detectors, modulators and other photonic and semiconductor devices. The goal of this book is to elevate the laser remote sensing field to a technological level that can allow low-cost and reliable instruments for a wide range of scientific, commercial, military and space applications. The field can greatly benefit from considerable advances in fiber optics and photonics component technologies. These telecommunication-related technologies will create exciting new opportunities for developing LIDAR (light detection and ranging) sensors with drastically improved measurement capabilities. Topics include: laser remote sensing instruments; fiber optic and semiconductor lasers; photodetection devices; and nanocrystal and photonic structures and devices.
