Fiber laser for advanced guidance research

The DoD requires new sources of eye safe, short pulse, laser radiation to enable the next generation laser radar (LADAR) seekers. Conventional eye safe laser sources using diode-pumped solid-state laser (DPSSL) and optical parametric oscillator (OPO) technologies have difficulties to meet the packaging requirements and to operate with constant pulse width at variable repetition rate. Also, the efficiency of DPSSL+OPO systems is two times lower compared to 1.5ƒYm fiber laser systems. In Phase I of this project, Aculight will build and deliver to the DoD a prototype fiber laser that will meet the pulse duration, beam quality, and polarization requirement for the next generation LADAR lasers but at slightly reduced power. In Phase II Aculight will deliver a full power all-fiber laser transmitter meeting the DoD requirements. Our novel approach enables flexible compact packaging without the need for any free space propagation and leverages heavily from the telecommunications industry, using off the shelf fiber-optic components where available.