Miniature UV Sources for Imaging Applications

To address DARPA’s need for a miniature, high-power UV source with a below-300-nm wavelength, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new Miniature Pulsed Ultraviolet Source (MIPUS). This proposed device is based on a new high-power, compact solid-state (SS) laser design that uses in-house developed technologies and COTS components. The innovation in the novel laser medium is amenable to high-power operation, and the new cavity design will enable the MIPUS UV source to achieve the performance of much larger laser systems in a package with dimensions as small as 1 in. x 0.5 in. x 0.5 in. As a result, this MIPUS technology offers pulse output with a 1–10-kHz repetition rate, 1–5-ns pulse duration, and up-to-0.5-mJ pulse energy, directly addressing DARPA’s requirements. In Phase I, POC will demonstrate the feasibility of the MIPUS UV Source by performing system analysis and preliminary design, and fabricating and testing a tabletop prototype UV source with TRL 4. In Phase II, POC plans to develop a fully-functional, miniaturized pulsed UV laser source at TRL 6 that will satisfy all DARPA performance requirements.