Compact Laser with Active/Passive Cooling for LADAR Applications

Marlow Industries (MI) proposes a hybrid thermoelectric cooler and phase change material assembly to provide a self-contained, compact cooling system that will provide limited duty cycle temperature stabilization as an integral part of a high repetitionrate, solid-state laser transmitter. Teaming with Coherent Technologies (CTI) for their laser system expertise, MI will provide a unique, innovative solution for a self-contained cooling system for a 5 to 15 watt solid state, diode pumped lasertransmitter operating at 1.5 micron nominal wavelength. The planned duty cycles addressed in the SBIR will be 3 minutes and 30 minutes. This cooling system will be required to maintain the laser assembly at a predefined temperature within 0.2¿C over therequired duty cycle. A significant focus in this effort will be a thorough evaluation of the thermal inputs to the cooling system and an investigation of energy reservoir systems. Alternative technologies to be investigated include hybrid solutions ofcompressed gas and heater assemblies and endothermic reactions. In addition, MI proposes to evaluate a thermoelectric cooler assembly with a flexible link to ambient. Working closely with CTI, MI will develop a cooling system design concept for abaseline laser transmitter utilizing the data gathered during the Phase I SBIR. This cooling system design will be used in the Phase II SBIR for hardware fabrication. compact cooling system, lower cost, and eyesafe laser, increase potential LADARapplications