Modeling of High-Average-Power Solid State Lasers

Directed energy (DE) is widely viewed as a transformational game changer technology in military operations. Applications in space control, force protection, counter rockets, artillery and mortars (CRAM), and defense against man portable air defense systems (MANPADS) are of particular interest due to the unique capabilities and promise of DE based solutions.  Electrically based solid-state and fiber lasers are attractive for tactical applications on aircraft, ground vehicles, and ships where size weight and power (SWAP) is a primary consideration.  For this reason, diode-pumped solid-state lasers (DPSSL) have been the major focus of the High Energy Laser (HEL) technology community. DPSSLs are complex multidimensional systems whose designs span disciplines in geometric optics (ray-tracing), physical optics (beam propagation), laser spectroscopy (energy transfer), resonator design, thermal management (finite element analysis), aberration control and beam combining (intra- and extra-cavity adaptive optics). Designers often reply on a combination of in-house developed models and third-party software to develop modeling and simulation solutions of DPSSL based HEL systems. This process is cumbersome, inefficiency and often times leads to erroneous results. Moreover, because these models are not always adequately linked, important effects, such as beam dependent heating or cooling, for example, are not always captured. This proposal addresses an integrated laser design and modeling solution that captures and links all of the major laser disciplines in one software package. BENEFIT: The laser modeling package and components developed under this program will yield a practical and powerful tool derived from first-principles for design, modeling and simulation of high power diode-pumped solid-state lasers and laser systems. The resulting tool will significantly improve the state-of-the-art in laser modeling and simulation. Potential commercial opportunities exist in direct sales and marketing of a commercial software package and/or professional services in laser design, modeling and simulation.