All-Fiber Infrared Raman Laser

We propose to develop an all-fiber Raman laser based on a gas-filled hollow-core photonic Bandgap fiber that is fabricated by new infrared materials. The Raman laser, pumped by commercially available fiber laser at near-infrared wavelength, can generate infrared wavelength in a broadband from 1.5 to 12 microns. Its wavelength can be tuned by tuning the pump laser output. The all-fiber Raman laser is robust, insensitive to environmental changes in temperature, pressure, humidity, and vibration. It can be used for countermeasures to the next generation of heat seeking missiles and for long range, remote sensing of targets and threats. In Phase I, we will fabricate the gas-filled hollow-core photonic bandgap fiber. A mid-infrared fiber laser will be built and characterized. BENEFIT: The all-fiber, robust and compact infrared Raman fiber lasers can be used as infrared countermeasures (IRCM) for defense against heat seeking missiles or man-portable air defense system. Illumination, targeting, secure communications and sensing are also important military applications for the fiber lasers. Infrared lasers are of great interest for a wide range of scientific and technological applications from spectroscopy and frequency metrology to information technology, industrial process control, photochemistry, photobiology and photomedicine, contamination control, atmospheric chemistry, imaging as well as rapid detection of explosives, chemical and biological agents.