Moderate Power Mid-Infrared and Infrared Fiber Lasers

Agiltron proposes to develop a mid-IR fiber laser having inherently attractive features of high efficiency, high power, good beam quality, single-piece robust construction without the need for optical alignment, large surface to volume ratio for efficient thermal management, lightweight, and compact footprint. The design is closely coupled with our unique expertise in low loss mid-IR chalcogenide fiber fabrication and IR photonics. The approach overcomes the difficulties associated with in-fiber cavity mirror fabrication and relatively low optical power threshold in mid-IR fibers, representing a practical opportunity to realize a new type of rare-earth doped mid-IR fiber laser. The proposed laser adopts recent developments of high performance cladding-pumped fiber geometry and loop based in-fiber mirrors. In Phase I, we will fabricate a proof of concept breadboard fiber laser emitting three wavelengths in the 3 – 5 micron band. Full system demonstration will be realized in the Phase II Program.