Space Qualifiable, High-Power, Fiber Coupled Pump Laser

Through this research grant nLight Corporation will combine its proven design and production experience in high-reliability, single-emitter, fiber-coupled, laser diode module packaging, with its proven experience in 9XX nm, high-power, wide-stripe, super-high-efficiency-diodes (SHEDs) to produce a space qualifiable, high-power, single-emitter, fiber-coupled, 9XX nm laser diode module. Part of this grant will be used to develop highly efficient and reliable 9XX nm laser diode material, prove its base reliability, and determine the current and temperature activation constants necessary to predict reliability over a wide range of operating conditions. The balance of the funds will be used to adjust existing space and telecommunications proven packaging processes for use with high-power (>5 W) wide stripe laser diodes. The package design funded by the phase I grant uses high thermal conductivity, expansion-matched materials in a low thermal resistance topology with high electrical conductivity to minimize laser diode junction heating. The design builds on nLight’s proven stable and efficient optical coupling platform, which when combined with nLight’s proven 9XX nm laser diode efficiency, should result in the lowest possible operating junction temperature and lead to a long high temperature operating life (HTOL).