Semiconductor Laser Packaging for Infrared Flares

Flares are routinely used for battlefield illumination or for identification of hazards and landing strips. Visible light flares are simple in concept and execution, but have the disadvantage of being easily visible by anyone within visual range. Infrared flares enable the covert use of illumination, utilizing the advantage of modern Night Vision Goggles and can help enable today''''s war fighter to operate in the dark. In this proposal is outlined a design approach and preliminary systems analysis for an infrared laser diode based infrared flare system. Laser diode devices offer the highest efficiency and highest optical power density of any semiconductor based light source. nLIGHT''''s design capabilities for MIL SPEC laser diode packages, electronics, battery packs, and mechanical housings enable us to be highly confident that the presented design will satisfy the systems performance and cost requirements.