INTELLIGENT DRIVERS USING OPTICAL SENSING

Science Research Laboratory (SRL) and the Penn State Electro-Optics Center (PSU) propose to develop intelligent laser diode driver technology, incorporating optical diagnostics, that extends the operating lifetime of laser diode arrays by an order of magnitude. Random perturbations of temperature or current density during operation of a laser diode array can lead to thermal runaway and the formation of current filaments; the high local temperature, current, and optical power associated with these filaments damages the emitters and eventually leads to array failure. SRL and PSU have demonstrated that the formation of current filaments can result in irreversible damage. As part of this SBIR, SRL and PSU propose to use rapid real-time optical diagnostics to protect laser diodes from irreversible damage, significantly increasing their lifetime and reliability. By improving the lifetime of laser diodes, this technology will dramatically lower the cost of ownership of laser diode arrays, allowing them to be successfully integrated into a wide range of military laser hardware.