Efficiently Pumper Multifiberlaser-Combiner

Intelligent Optical Systems, Inc. proposes to develop a novel, compact, highly efficient fiber laser architecture that could be used as a base for laser power scaling. The proposed unique concept will provide high level pump power conversion, uniformity of pumping along the fiber length, and advanced thermal management. The laser output optical power can be scaled from milliwatts to kilowatts by increasing the number of optical gain fibers in the bundle. This robust laser will not require additional anti-vibration measures. As a result, the power consumption of the overall system will be lower than that in existing systems. The proposed system will also incorporate a novel laser diode pumping technology. In Phase I, novel uniform side pumping technology will be demonstrated in bench experiments. The conceptual design of a beam-combiner for power scaling will be completed. Issues of temperature management and parasitic nonlinear effects reduction will be addressed. In addition to the proposed military applications, primarily in maximizing the "power on target" in directed energy applications, there are numerous other promising applications for highly efficient, and high power, laser sources operating in the eye-safe spectral region. In Phase II, a preliminary prototype system will be demonstrated.