STTR Phase II: High Performance Single Frequency Lasers

This Small Business Technology Transfer Program (STTR) Phase II project will enable a new generation of single-frequency semiconductor lasers to enable applications in displays, precision instruments and defense. Under the Phase I project the team developed industry-leading first generation lasers up to 200 mW. The initial customer feedback from a variety of applications has converged around the need for higher power under CW operating conditions and spectral stability under arbitrary modulation. Further feedback points to the need to address these requirements in a cost effective manner to ensure a competitive solution. The proposal outlines an innovative combination of materials engineering and monolithic device features to address these issues. The team proposes to fabricate and deliver for customer evaluation single frequency lasers operating (1) >500 mW under CW conditions or (2) meeting specified levels of spectral stability at pulse widths below 100 nsec with various duty cycles. If successful this STTR Phase II project will enable a new generation of low cost single-frequency semiconductor lasers to enable applications in displays, precision instruments and defense. This work has a strong educational component with students in device and fabrication classes at SMU been exposed to and benefit from the proposed research. The devices, software and concepts developed on this STTR will educate students and visitors to the SMU photonics website, impact the world economy with laser instrumentation for medical and scientific applications, provide laser displays, and have a humanitarian contribution since these lasers are used in magnetometers to find mines and improvised explosive devices in war torn regions of the world.