Laser Detection Utilizing Coherence

Lasers are an unnatural occurrence, rendered almost impossible in nature due to the laws of thermodynamics. Thus, the presence of laser radiation is always accompanied by an intent for that laser such as sensing, targeting, range finding etc. Detection of laser radiation is therefore important as it may be a precursor to impending action. Laser warning receivers have been around for decades and have been aligned with the type of laser threat. In the last few years new threats have appeared in the form of low-cost diode lasers with dangerously high power levels (several Watts for a few hundred US dollars) and an ever expanding range of wavelengths. Protecting against such threats requires its detection, analysis and classification. In this paper we will discuss the types of technologies that have been used to detect lasers and the properties they can discern. We then focus on the developments in the detection of coherence properties and its ability to detect weak continuous wave (CW) laser sources.