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Laser Diodes for Eye-Safe LADAR
Navy SBIR 2009.1 - Topic N091-070 ONR - Mrs. Tracy Frost - [email protected] Opens: December 8, 2008 - Closes: January 14, 2009 N091-070 TITLE: Laser Diodes for Eye-Safe LADAR TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Sensors, Weapons ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PMA-266 The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), which controls the export and import of defense-related material and services. Offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals, their country of origin, and what tasks each would accomplish in the statement of work in accordance with section 3.5.b.(7) of the solicitation. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this SBIR is to advance the state-of the-art of Indium Phosphide (InP) laser diodes and develop a lightweight, compact pump source for Er:YAG lasers. Specifically, this SBIR seeks to develop a spectrally stabilized diode coupled to a fiber with dimensions necessary, as described by the specifications listed, to end-pump an Er:YAG oscillator. DESCRIPTION: Indium Phosphide (InP)-based laser diodes are a key component for eye-safe, resonantly pumped Er:YAG lasers, which have usefulness in imaging and range-finding applications in areas where enemy, friendly, and neutral forces are operating. However, most high average power Er:YAG lasers must currently be pumped by 1532nm erbium-doped fiber lasers. While this method is adequate for laboratory-based demonstrations, fielding lightweight, compact, and efficient Er:YAG lasers is difficult due to the size and efficiency limitations of the fiber laser pump. Existing fiber-coupled InP diode arrays have relatively poor spectral and spatial properties, and are only marginally suitable for end-pumping an Er:YAG oscillator. InP diode arrays can produce the needed wavelengths (1470nm or 1532nm), but they are subject to spectral drift. Also, InP diodes suffer from poor spatial characteristics, that is, the output is not consistently bright. � Peak wavelength: 1470nm or 1532nm PHASE I: In Phase I of this effort the contractor shall assess the various approaches identified for spectrally stabilizing InP diodes and fiber coupling them for pumping of an Er:YAG oscillator and trade the costs and benefits of these approaches relative to size, weight, efficiency, cooling requirements, production potential and cost. Based upon the findings of the trade study, a detailed design for such a device with performance projections shall be developed. The design must describe the techniques used to mate the diodes to the fibers and expectations for coupling efficiency and power handling. PHASE II: In Phase II of this effort the contractor shall build a suitable number of prototype devices to allow for experimentation and demonstration. A demonstration of the developed devices must show that the specified minimum requirements, specifically for spectral and spatial properties, are either met or exceeded. PHASE III: In Phase III, the contractor shall work with the government to conduct a specific demonstration of the developed InP diode arrays with an Er:YAG laser, possibly the laser within the Multi-Mode Sensor/Seeker (MMSS) system which is an eye-safe LADAR intended to ID targets at 10 kilometers with an Er:YAG laser transmitter. PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: Eyesafe laser systems for 3-D mapping are required for numerous civil and commercial applications. This work is currently performed with eye hazardous laser sources, which force operators to fly at altitudes that keep the eye hazard to a minimum. A compact efficient eye safe laser source would positively impact this business area. REFERENCES: KEYWORDS: Eye safe lasers; Er:YAG laser: InP Diodes; Fiber coupled diodes; Spectral purity; Spatial purity
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