Photos of Varo Rangefinder Erbium Laser

• Varo Rangefinder Erbium Laser Assembly (Gallery) This is the laser assembly from an erbium:glass flashlamp pumped Q-switched pulse laser rangefinder. The label on the unit states:

  NSN: 6660-01-344-4006
  P/N 34860ASSY39097821
  Contract No: F04606-96-C-0108
  Varo Inc., Optical Systems Division
  Garland, Texas, U.S., FSCM No. 27777

  The actual manufacturer may be Litton as that's the name on the warranty stickers. :)

  The following specifications have been guessed. :)

  • Output wavelength: 1,5XX nm.

  • Maximum output pulse energy: 50 mJ.

  • Lasing medium: Erbium doped glass rod.

  • Pump source: Linear xenon flashlamp.

  • Cavity: Diffuse white powder reflector.

  • HR/Q-switch: Rotating prism driven by PM motor. An optical pickup on the motor shaft supplies trigger signal for flashlamp (via SCR in pulse forming network).

  • Output Coupler (OC) mirror: Fixed optic.

  • Collimator: Beam expander telescope feeds output optic.

  • Pulse forming network: 100 uF energy storage capacitor and SCR fired trigger circuit.

  • Flashlamp supply voltage: +600 as delivered.

  More information on the Varo laser can be found in the chapter Solid State Lasers of Sam's Laser FAQ.

  (The following photos provided courtesy of: Austin Gilson (tiscrap@msn.com).)

  • View 01 - Front view showing small laser output window, large receiver window, and laser danger sticker.

  • View 02 - Left side view showing power supply board at top, motor driver board below it, and laser head below that. The silver box at the bottom is the "Monitor" unit, possibly for the outgoing and incoming pulses for diagnostics.

  • View 03 - Right side view showing BIG YELLOW CAP, part of the pulse forming network. The box at the bottom is called "LOG" which may be log amp or something like that. It is between the receiver and output coax connector.

  • View 04 - Top view showing more of the power supply board. The PCB partially covering it is the interlock/bleeder which discharges the BIG YELLOW CAP quickly and prevents it from charging if the case is opened.

  • View 05 - Closeup of Motor Driver Board (MDB) and laser head in situ. The MD connects to the Q-switch motor and optical position sensor. A request signal to it causes the motor to spin up and then a trigger pulse is sent back directly to the PFN firing SCR.

  • View 06 - Pulse forming network and trigger.

  • View 07 - Laser head showing attachment to the PFN and MDB.

  • View 08 - Motor driven Q-switch with HR prism.

  • View 09 - OC mirror.

  • View 10 - Closeup of external connectors. J1 goes to the power supply board. J2 is the receiver output. J3 and J4 go to the MON module.

Varo Rangefinder Erbium Laser Assembly

View 01 View 02 View 03

View 04 View 06 View 07

View 08 View 09 View 10

View 05