High CW Power 1.5-1.6 um Eye Safe Diode Lasers

We propose to develop 1 watt cw diode lasers for the 1.5-1.95 mm spectrum. The innovation consists of a novel "tapered-amplifier master-oscillator-power-amplifier" (TA-MOPA) applied to our previously demonstrated quantum well laser devices for this spectral range. Sensors Unlimited and the David Sarnoff Research Center have already teamed up to commercialize distributed feedback lasers with power outputs above 10mW. The primary application has been the sensing of gases such as O2 (0.761mm), HF (1.321mm), H2O (1.393mm), NH3 (1.541mm), H2 S (1.575mm), CO2 (1.602mm), CH4 (1.653mm) and CO2 and H2O (1.952mm). In Phase I we will design our structure, fabricate a 1.55mm TA-MOPA device with a goal of >100mW output above 1 watt, and deliver nine final units. Dr. Ray Martinelli of David Sarnoff Research Center will consult on the program.| Benefits: High power, coherent 1.5-1.95mm lasers are currently scarce and many new applications are anticipated. High power lasers operating with single mode beam quality are envisioned as key components for laser radars and remote sensing systems, reducing weight and cost. In addition, tuning the laser wavelength to match that of molecular resonances will enable the sensing of specific molecular species.|