On-Line Diagnostic Systems for High Energy Lasers Using Nonlinear Optical and Diffractive Optical Transformations

The goal of the Phase II of the present SBIR project is to develop and prototype new generation devices and systems for sampling and diagnostics of high power laser beams based on our breakthrough findings in the Phase I of the project. The Phase OO workwill address all the main components of high power laser beam diagnostics: sampling, visualization and measurement. Sampling will be realized with the aid of ultrasound waves propagating across the light beam. This will allow obtaining up to billiontimes attenuated replica of the beam in a controllable manner, without optical components that can be damaged by the laser beam and with no distortions caused to the beam. The technique is applicable to highest power laser beams. The laser beamdiagnostic system will include Induced-Birefringence-Mapping (IBM) - Enhanced CCD imaging, which allows profiling of infrared beams in a wide length range using inexpensive techniques developed foe visible radiation. We will further enhance the featuresof our diagnostics system by developing new diffractive optical components, including dynamic holographic elements for electrically variable attenuation, control and measurement of laser beam divergence.The new technology of high power laser beam samplingand diagnostics will drastically reduce the cost and will allow breakthroughs in the development and improvement of industrial, medical and DoD laser systems, enhancement of quality and safety of laser applications.