Novel Extended-Zone High Power WDM Couplers

ABSTRACT: High power and low insertion loss WDM components will be developed. In manufacturing WDM components, solid core fibers in both polarization insensitive and polarization maintaining, will be pursued, along with photonics crystal fiber components. A range of fiber sizes and device specifications will be developed and commercially offered by Q-Peak. The component that we propose to develop in this Phase I program fulfills an important need as an enabling technology specifically for high-power fiber Raman lasers, and can be extended for use in high power fiber lasers in general. High-power Raman lasers, constructed through the combination of multiple fiber lasers, are one of the technologies that the Air Force is exploring for their next generation GuideStar applications. BENEFIT: Q-Peak will offer commercially available high power WDM components as a domestic supplier. Standard components will be offered for sale, along with the ability to offer custom component development and commercial sales of high power WDM components. These components are integral to the continuing development of high power fiber lasers for a range of markets and applications including defense, industrial machining, and select medical applications.