Laser Diodes for Eye-Safe LADAR

Based on promising results obtained under ONR Phase 1 SBIR funding, nLight proposes a Phase 2 continuation toward the development of high-power, high-efficiency, wavelength-stabilized 1532-nm eyesafe laser diode pump modules for use in resonant pumping of Er-doped gain media. In the proposed Phase 2 effort, nLight will work to improve the performance characteristics of the locked diode laser pump module which was demonstrated in Phase 1. Further, nLight will design and prototype (breadboard demonstration) a solid state laser with performance objectives matching those of the transmitter component of the Navy’s Multi-Mode Sensor/Seeker (MMSS) system. At the end of the base program, nLight will deliver to the Navy or recipient of their choosing prototype laser pump modules which are expected to meet or exceed all specified performance objectives. Two options to the program are also proposed: 1) preliminary qualification of the final pump module design and 2) integration of the pump and solid state lasers into a single compact module and preliminary qualification of the integrated package.