Broadband High Power Mid-IR Supercontinuum Source

NP Photonics proposes to develop a supercontinuum (SC) fiber laser with the capability to propagate a multi-spectral laser beam with > 10 Watts of time-averaged power. This program focuses on all fiber optic approach with particular emphasis on covering the mid-IR portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. Mid-infrared lasers are key enabling technology for various applications such as remote chemical sensing, defense communications and countermeasures, and bio-photonic diagnostics and therapeutics. Conventional mid-IR sources include optical parametric amplifiers, quantum cascade lasers, synchrotron and free electron lasers. An all-fiber approach, based on highly nonlinear tellurite fiber, to generate a high power, short pulse, single mode beam (M^2 < 2) with extremely wide (1 µm-5 µm) and simultaneous wavelength coverage has significant advantages in terms of reliability (no moving parts or alignment), room temperature operation, size, weight, power scalability, and power efficiency; this is expected to have a major impact on many applications, particularly infrared countermeasures.