Crystalline cladding and crystalline core fiber for high energy fiber laser - Phase II

In this Phase II project, we will develop longer and higher quality crystalline cladding and crystalline core optical fibers by modifying, improving, and optimizing the unique crystalline cladding and crystalline core fiber growing system and process developed in the Phase I stage. The longer and higher quality crystalline cladding and crystalline core optical fiber offers the capabilities of a higher thermal conductivity, a proper absorption cross-section, a lower propagation loss and nonlinearity, and a better mode control, which enables high energy fiber lasers. The samples of longer and higher quality crystalline cladding and crystalline core fiber will be delivered to the Army Research Lab for evaluation and testing, including lasing experiment. It is anticipated that the output power of the crystalline cladding and crystalline core fiber laser can be more than one order of magnitude higher than that of glass fiber laser. We will also seek for commercializing this technology in both military (such as laser directed energy weapon) and commercial applications (such as laser cutting and welding).