Compact, High Power Midwave Infrared Lasers

The Navy requires high power laser sources that can provide multi-Watt output power levels in the mid-infrared for optical countermeasures of anti-ship missiles. Current state-of-art laser transmitters, consisting of diode-pumped solid-state lasers and optical parametric oscillators, have demonstrated the required optical power and wavelength in the mid-infrared spectral region. However, these laser systems are complex and expensive customized devices. To provide reliable and affordable mid-wave lasers for ship-based infrared countermeasures (IRCM), Aculight Corporation proposes a novel laser source based on commercial fiber-optic technology coupled with an innovative wavelength shifter to provide high power, broad bandwidth radiation in the mid-infrared. The Phase I experiments demonstrated the feasibility of combining multiple commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) telecom fiber amplifiers into a high-power mid-wave laser for IRCM. In the Phase II, a moderate power brassboard IRCM laser will be built using COTS telecom fiber-optics components and a novel wavelength shifter. The brassboard laser will be delivered to the Navy for testing at the completion of the Phase II.