Ultra-Low-Noise Crystal Fiber Amplifier

We are thus proposing a Phase I program to study the feasibility of an amplifier consisting of single crystal fibers of Nd:YALO, which we believe can exceed the low noise requirements set for this program. To identify optimal compostition gain media and determine feasibility of implementing practical, we are also proposing to grow several candidate crystal samples for limited testing and breadboarding, using the laser-heated pedestal-growth (LHPG) technique. Lasergenics has the license to the patents held by Stanford University on this unique fiber growth technique which we believe is ideally suited to the needs of this program. The LHPG is a fast that requires only small amounts of starting materials and is not sensitive to imperfections such as strains and doping nonuniformities, thus allowing an efficient and cost effective means of selecting and testing a large number of candidate materials. We thus consider the LHPG technique as an excellent solution to the problem of laser material optimization, especially in situtations where critical operating parameters must be determined and where large size material of high quality may not be readily available.