Development of line-narrowed diode pumps sources for DPAL systems

Megawatt class laser systems using Diode Pumped Alkali Lasers (DPAL) could be possible because of their extremely low quantum defect which minimizes thermal loading and, like other gas lasers, the gain medium can be flowed to reduce thermal management requirements. One key to producing efficient systems is matching the absorption linewidth of the gain media to the emission bandwidth of the diodes. Absorption linewidths are typically on the order of 500 MHz while the typical edge emitting diode emission is on the order of a few nanometers (hundreds of GHz). We offer a new technology of high power Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL) which has intrinsically narrow linewidth and can be modified to dramatically improve the linewidth and temperature stability so that it can be used as a pump for DPAL Systems. In phase I Princeton Optronics has demonstrated a novel approach to reduce the linewidth and stabilize the laser to reduce their temperature dependence. In phase II, we would improve on the technolgy and deliver higher power pump lasers with this approach.