High Efficiency Fiber-Coupled Diode Lasers for Resonant Pumping of Fiber Lasers

New accelerator applications within DOE require the use of high-power, high repetition rate, efficient solid state lasers. These lasers are pumped by diode lasers. Improving the efficiency of diode laser pumps will directly impact the overall efficiency and performance of solid state lasers. No high-efficiency technology for pump lasers in the 1.4-2.1 m wavelength range exists. Pump laser technology also has wide application areas in optical communications, materials processing, etc. In this program, Freedom Photonics will address the need for high efficiency pump lasers by leveraging its work on 1550nm high power lasers for communications and sensing. The overall project goal is to develop lasers >55% wall plug efficient at 1530 nm wavelength and >30% wall plug efficient at 1910 nm wavelength. The Phase I effort will focus on understanding the technical challenges and developing strategies to minimize their associated program risk. To accomplish this, feasibility of different approaches for improving pump laser efficiency will be studied. High-efficiency diode laser pumps are of importance for use with solid state fiber lasers, as well as in optical amplifier and repeater systems for fiber-optic communications, sensing, material processing, medicine, free-space optical communications. This program also promotes the development of a US workforce skilled in 21st century technologies such as the emerging field of photonics integration.