Tunable GHz-Burst-Frequency USPL

Ultra Short Pulsed Lasers (USPL) intrinsically exhibit high optical bandwidth and non-linear interactions with matter can increase this further.  This broadband nature offers the potential for a broadly applicable solution for countering RF and EO/IR sensors.  Enhancement of energy content at a specific frequency can be accomplished by creating a burst of laser pulses at a specific repetition rate. In a multi-Phase STTR Program, Voss Scientific and team member University of New Mexico propose to build a Burst Mode Laser (BML) using a novel, previously demonstrated 1-20 GHz USPL seed burst generator concept, combined with Chirped-Pulse-Amplification (CPA) to realize individual pulse energy >20 mJ.  Phase I work will focus on demonstration of the seed burst generator, selection of the USPL wavelength and amplifier technology, and design of the BML system.  Phase I will also include BML diagnostic design, and to the extent possible, development and testing with existing.  Measurements will include characterization of individual laser pulses, the plasma and RF generated from the laser interactions, ablation burn-thru characteristics, and spectral broadening and supercontinuum generation. Phase II will focus on implementation of the Phase I laser design and the diagnostics related to laser and plasma/RF phenomena associated with beam-matter interactions.