Robust Phase Modulators and Polarization Controllers for High Power Fiber Lasers

The Phase I effort established the necessary building blocks for the fabrication in Phase II of advanced high power, robust, polarization insensitive integrated optic phase modulators and polarization controllers to meet the requirements for low SWaP coherent and spectral beam combining applications. Substantial progress has been made in this Phase I SBIR, including demonstration of low loss optical waveguides capable of handling high optical power in the 1 to 10 Watt range. Other key elements to produce the robust phase modulator and polarization controller devices have been demonstrated, including low loss, epoxy free optical fiber coupling to lithium niobate waveguide. An optical modulator device was fabricated and extensive optical and electro-optical, temperature and vibration tests were successfully conducted to demonstrate the robustness of the device. The Phase II effort will fabricate and deliver advanced robust prototype device that would satisfy the requirements of MDA and be marketable as well to the research and defense community.By the end of a Phase II effort, the proposed program would culminate in the demonstration of the prototype in state-of-the-art fiber laser beam combiners.