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 design a space qualifiable, high-power, single-emitter, fiber-coupled, 980 nm laser diode module. Part of this grant will be used to generate preliminary reliability data on the SHEDs 9XX nm laser diode material. The balance of the funds will be used to adjust existing space and telecommunications proven package designs for use with high-power (>5 W) wide stripe laser diodes. The package design changes will concentrate on using higher thermal conductivity, expansion-matched materials in a low thermal resistance topology with high electrical conductivity to minimize laser diode junction heating. Additional changes will be reviewed to improve radiation hardening. The design is expected to build on nLight’s proven stable and efficient optical coupling platform, which when combined with nLight’s proven SHEDs 9XX nm laser diode efficiency, should result in the lowest possible operating junction temperature and lead to a long high temperature operating life (HTOL).