High-Power, Narrow Linewidth Laser Diodes for Alkali Atoms

The primary objective of CU Aerospace’s Phase I work will be to assess the feasibility of producing very narrow linewidth (< 1 MHz), single-mode, diode lasers for pumping alkali atoms. This effort will involve novel laser-amplifier diode architecture to enable such high performance devices. These advances will have a major impact on alkali laser based sensor systems as well as rapidly evolving diode pumped alkali laser (DPAL) systems. The results of the Phase I research will lay the foundation for developing high power, narrow linewidth arrays for enhanced performance in Phase II. Our team partner the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign will perform fundamental research to assist CU Aerospace with these design and feasibility studies, and to produce a proof-of-principle prototype diode laser. This research will lead directly to designs that will be fabricated and tested extensively with detailed diagnostics to evaluate each design’s performance attributes in Phase II. Employment of the state-of-the-art and economical Micro and Nanotechnology Laboratory at the University of Illinois will allow these innovative laser diode technologies to be fabricated, implemented, and examined in detail.