Laser Diodes for Eye-Safe LADAR

Fiber coupled pump source is solicited with a desired power of 50W into a 300 micron fiber core, spectral stability at 1470nm or 1532nm, and a line width smaller than 0.5nm. We present several concepts to be studied to develop this pump laser based on our existing design capabilities and experience. Scientist from Princeton Lightwave have been involved in several government funded R&D activities in the field of InP based pump lasers and Er:YAG laser systems, and we plan on building on this knowledge base and experience to develop the solution solicited. We propose to compare two approaches: 1. Mini-bars with custom emitters and pitch and 2. Single emitters. Both solutions will be tested to a degree that will allow us to decide on the merits of each one of them and to design the actual laser system. We also propose an optional phase in which we will deepen the investigation to include a third approach: to use single-mode emitters in a mini-bar format. We propose to test this approach and to investigate the possibility of spectral combining - other than the spatial and polarization approached which will be investigated in Phase I.