High Performance Compact Medium-Power Long-Wave Infrared (LWIR) Laser System for Shipboard Deployment
Navy SBIR FY2018.1


Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2018.1
Topic No.: N181-054
Topic Title: High Performance Compact Medium-Power Long-Wave Infrared (LWIR) Laser System for Shipboard Deployment
Proposal No.: N181-054-0213
Firm: Forward Photonics LLC
500 West Cummings Park
Suite 1900
Woburn, Massachusetts 1801
Contact: Robin Huang
Phone: (978) 224-5488
Web Site: http://www.forwardphotonics.com
Abstract: Recent progress has been made in the development of medium-power quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) for use in airborne countermeasures, particularly in the adoption of Daylight Solutions�?T Solaris Laser in the Army�?Ts Common Infrared Countermeasure (CIRCM) program and Forward Photonics�?T high brightness 25 W laser. These developments to date have been targeted in the mid-wave infrared (MWIR), however with ever increasing threat sophistication there is a real need to expand the wavelength regime of these countermeasures to more diverse wavelengths, in particular the long-wave infrared (LWIR). Forward Photonics has had remarkable success using its proprietary wavelength beam combination (WBC) technology in the mid-infrared regime (4 �?" 5 A�m) with QCLs. Forward Photonics�?T mid-wave infrared (MWIR) laser capable of producing > 25 W in CW operation by using WBC to combine the outputs of individual high power QCLs. Forward Photonics is proposing a technical approach to construct a 100 W LWIR system based on WBC of high power QCLs.
Benefits: Lasers designed by Forward Photonics contain these key advantages over existing solid state lasers: �?� Robust, compact, efficient all-semiconductor based laser solutions �?� Semiconductor based lasers with single aperture output and high power (>1 kW) and high beam quality �?� Very low size, weight, and power (SWaP) �?� Inherently efficient diode-based approach, requiring minimal cooling, reducing system size and ruggedness.

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