Fiber Laser with Enhanced Coupling

To address the Army’s need for a novel approach that enables pump combiners with improved coupling efficiency for high-power fiber laser systems, Hedgefog Research Inc. (HFR) proposes to develop a new Fiber Laser with Enhanced Coupling (FLEC) that minimizes excess heat generation in fiber lasers via efficient mode scrambling of the pump light in the cladding of the active fiber. Specifically, we will develop a fiber engineering technology greatly enhancing mode mixing/scrambling in the active fiber, that can be applied to existing third-party fiber laser systems with minimal re-engineering. In Phase I, HFR will demonstrate the feasibility of FLEC by performing experimental proof-of-principle demonstration of the technology to reach TRL 4. A full integration plan for Phase II development will be proposed by the end of Phase I. In Phase II, HFR will enhance and optimize the technology to meet the Army requirements and reach TRL-6.