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 andoptical parametric oscillators, have demonstrated the required optical power and wavelength in the mid-infrared spectral region. However, these laser systems are unreliable, requiring constant maintenance due to component failure or optical misalignment.To improve the performance of next generation countermeasures systems, Aculight Corporation proposes a novel laser source based on emerging fiber-optic technology coupled with an innovative wavelength shifter to provide high power, broad bandwidthradiation in the mid-infrared. In the Phase I, experiments will be performed to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed novel wavelength shifter. A preliminary design of the mid-infrared laser to be built in the Phase II will also be developed.Results from the Phase I will be used in the option task to perform a detailed design of the laser module that will be built in the Phase II. The market targeted for the proposed compact, high-power mid-infrared laser source is the military production ofsuch lasers for Army, Air Force and Navy infrared countermeasures systems.