GHz Burt Mode Ultrashort Pulse Laser

Aqwest proposes to develop a robust, compact ultra-short pulse laser (USPL) to counter RF and EO/IR sensors and to effectively ablate target materials. The USPL will deliver picosecond pulses at GHz repetition rate in a user-defined burst mode.  The project work will leverage concepts, designs, hardware, systems, and controls for short-pulse (femtosecond,  picosecond, and nanosecond) lasers already developed by Aqwest for the US Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and the Department of Energy (DOE).  This will accelerate the development of the Air Force GHz USPL prototype while reducing the cost and risk. In Phase I, we will formulate the architecture, design concepts, and integration approaches for the USPL systems, support them with analyses, engineering calculations, and predictive models anchored to test data to establish the feasibility of the technical approach.  Clear performance goals for the final laser specifications (i.e., pulse profiles, wavelength, energy, trigger modes) of ther Phase II USL system will be established. Proof of concept/breadboard demonstrations will be conducted for novel and/or high risk elements essential key to the success of Phase II. A complete Phase II program plan with statement of work, timelines, and staffing will be generated.Phase II will continue to build off the foundation laid in Phase I. The USPL design and hardware implementation will be developed and improve to meet or exceed the goals of the GHz burst mode USPL with ~100 mJ, and ~ps individual pulses.In Phase III (Dual Use Applications), Aqwest will design, build, and deliver a compact, ruggedized, and commercially available USPL system to support calibrated measurement of tunable rf resulting from the laser plasma, burn through rates on selected samples, and characterized supercontinuum.