Laser Beam Combining and Control Systems Using Liquid Crystal Modular Photonics Components

The objective of this proposal is to mature the liquid crystal (LC) material and device technologies for high power near IR laser beam control systems the feasibility of which was demonstrated in the Phase 1 of the project. Particularly, we willdemonstrate: an optically controlled spatial light modulator for correcting phase distortions in high power laser beams; a subscale prototype device for combining near infrared laser beams; and optically recorded dynamic refractive optical systemsproviding, particularly, the capability of large angle steering of laser beams (targeting up to 45 degree steering angle). All-optical modular photonics components operating for high power near IR laser beams will be developed to simplify the design andtest of laser beam control systems and to make these systems more robust and immune to mechanical and optical noises. Optically-induced orientational processes in nematic LC will serve as a basic mechanism for realization of nonlinear optical interactions,specifically, stimulated light scattering and opto-optical modulation, that result in energy transfer and phase conjugation. Improved LC materials are expected to withstand power density of radiation over 1 MW/cm^2 and operate in a wide temperature range.