AAAV Composite Armor Systems

Diode-laser arrays operating in the visible region of the spectrum offer advantages for illuminator applications, particularly for night and water penetration capability. Recent developments in diode-laser materials allow operation throughout the visiblespectrum. At this time, red diode-laser technology is more mature than the existing blue-green or violet diode-laser technology. The novel aspect of this work is the use of recent advances in monolithic silicon microchannel coolers to producetwo-dimensional, red, diode-laser arrays. Cylindrical microlenses can be added to the two-dimensional arrays to create high-brightness sources. The initial work in the Phase I program will focus on the production and characterization of linear diodearrays suitable for use in 2D arrays. We will investigate the tradeoffs involved in operating at the shortest possible red wavelengths.At the conclusion of a Phase II program, we would be able to introduce stacked bars commercially. The markets thatcould be addressed are diode laser pump sources for solid-state lasers and materials processing using the diode lasers directly. Red diode laser arrays also address the photodynamic therapy market for cancer treatment.