Wavelength Conversion of Pulsed Fiber Lasers

First generation mid-infrared lasers contribute to the prohibitively high life cycle cost of infrared countermeasures systems, precluding their broad application in helicopters. We propose to develop a fiber amplifier-based IRCM laser transmitter that will contain all optical beams within optical fiber, eliminating adjustable, discrete optical mounts to significantly increase the laser’s MTBF. The Phase I work demonstrated the feasibility of using telecommunication fiber-optic components to build a mid-infrared IRCM transmitter suitable for helicopter applications. In the Phase II, we will develop a prototype IRCM laser transmitter based on fiber technology and also demonstrate open-ended power scalability of a fiber-based architecture.