High Average Power Superconituum in the Mid-Infrared

Infrared countermeasure (IRCM) systems defend many aircraft and ground vehicles located in combat zones from infrared-guided attacking missiles. These systems disable the incoming threat through the use of directed infrared laser energy. To protect from various heat-seeking missile threats, Multiple-band coverage is required in the infrared region (1-5 micron). Currently available IRCM solutions are very expensive and suffer limitations and disadvantages such as excessive size and weight; long initial cool-down time (cryogenic temperatures), short operating time, limited duty cycle, complex packaging, low wall plug efficiency, poor beam quality, and limited output power. The proposed work will develop an innovative compact chalcogenide fiber-based broadband (1-5 microns) high average power (5-10 Watt) source using supercontinuum generation. The feasibility of generating supercontinuum in novel chalcogenide nonlinear fiber will be studied. Phase I activities will include theoretical modeling and design for the nonlinear fiber and supercontinuum generation. A prototype fiber will be delivered.