High-Power VCSELs for Military Applications

Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Lasers (VCSELs) have demonstrated themselves as a commercially viable technology. Recent technology developments have lead to a new class of commercial VCSELs designed for high power operation. These devices appear to be favorable candidates for high power military applications. In this Project, Aerius Photonics will determine the feasibility of using high powered VCSELs in military applications such as pulsed laser radar and target ranging and detection applications. The goal is to produce a lightweight, low-cost, small form-factor pulsed laser module capable of producing 225 micro-Joule pulses significantly less than 20 ns long at a repetition rate of at least 15 kHz. The module will use VCSEL devices with stable, high quality beam profiles that can be well collimated. To accomplish this objective, Aerius will characterize commercially available high-power 980-nm VCSELs and develop a model for predicting VCSEL response under short-pulse excitation conditions. This predictive model will include critical performance attributes such as final beam shape and spectral properties, pulse width, pulse energy, and pulse repetition rate. The model developed will also allow for the generation of device designs that may be considered for use in the Phase II project to meet specific application requirements.