Chalcogenide Infrared Fiber Manufacturing Technology Navy STTR FY2012.A Sol No.: Navy STTR FY2012.A Topic No.: N12A-T024 Topic Title: Chalcogenide Infrared Fiber Manufacturing Technology Proposal No.: N12A-024-0027 Firm: IRFLex Corporation 300 Ringgold Industrial Parkway Danville, Virginia 24540 Contact: Francois Chenard Phone: (434) 483-4304 Web Site: www.irflex.com Abstract: Chalcogenide glass fibers are extensively used for delivery of mid-infrared (2 to 5 micron) laser wavelengths. They are needed for development of next-generation directed infrared countermeasure (DIRCM) systems. These new systems will have a reduction of both weight and size allowing their installation in vehicle and aircraft with stringent weight and size requirements. These fibers have industrial uses, such as remote sensing, environmental monitoring, and spectroscopy. Chalcogenide fibers, however, lose about 50% transmission beyond ~ 10 meters and suffer from low mechanical strength passing the 15 kpsi tensile proof test. The main contributors to the loss level and mechanical strength are the various impurities in the glass, and contaminant exposure and imperfections introduced during the fiber draw. Therefore, to obtain good fiber transmission over 10 meters and improved mechanical properties, a novel manufacturing process will be developed. The proposed work will demonstrate the feasibility and plan of developing an innovative manufacturing process for producing improved chalcogenide glass fibers. This new process will bring modification to both glass and fiber production processes. The new manufacturing technology will enable production of optical fibers with losses below 0.15 dB/m and tensile proof strength at 20 kpsi or greater. Benefits: Development of improved long length (>10 meters) of low-loss chalcogenide glass fiber with consistent high mechanical strength (pass tensile proof test at 20 kpsi or greater) will mainly benefit development of new DIRCM systems. In particular, DIRCM that are needed for large aircraft, since the laser in these systems will require longer travel to reach tracker. Upon successful completion of the Phase II effort, IRflex will enhance their expertise and know-how in the fabrication of chalcogenide fibers. IRflex will be in a unique position to develop and commercialize this new low-loss mid-infrared fiber for military (IRCM), chemical sensing (molecular spectroscopy), and biomedical (laser surgery) applications. Laser scalpels that utilize erbium: YAG lasers (2.94 microns) can be transmitted in these fibers with much lower losses than any fiber available in the market without the need for special packaging for humidity protection. Also these fibers can be utilized to develop fiber-optic devices that can be used with mid-infrared lasers. Return