High Power Quantum Cascade Laser Array (HPQCLA)

To address the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) need for power scaling of quantum cascade laser, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new high power quantum cascade laser array (HPQCLA), based on coherently combining the laser beams of all individual quantum cascade laser (QCL) via mutual injection locking (MIL). The innovative use of multiplexed Bragg grating for locking wavelength of laser array and the novel use of MIL to produce coherently combined high power laser beams will enable the power scaling of QCL without degrading beam quality. In Phase I, POC will conduct feasibility study to demonstrate a baseline electrically pumped QCL with a wavelength range of 3-5 micron or 8 12 micron that emits an average power of 200 mW at a TE- cooler temperature and wall plug efficiency of at least 4%. POC will develop a comprehensive plan along with modeling for combining the output power of multiple emitters scalable to >1 W while maintaining a beam divergence 5 W with the same divergence.