Single-frequency, high-energy, tunable solid state IR source

Q-Peak, Inc. proposes to develop a single-mode, rapidly tunable, high-energy, all-solid-state IR source suitable for use as a direct-detection or heterodyne DIAL system transmitter. The source is based on the combination of a 1 micron pulsed pump laser andoptical parametric oscillators (OPO). The pump source, designed as a oscillator-amplifier (MOPA) system, comprises a compact, diode-pumped, 500 Hz pulse-repetition-rate, single-frequency, Q-switched Nd:YLF laser and diode-pumped multipass Yb:S-FAP poweramplifier. The MOPA system will pump a tandem OPO system consisting of a rapidly-angle-tuned, injection-seeded, 1.5-3.6 micron KTA OPO, and a pump-tuned, 3-5 micron and 8-12 micron CdSe OPO pumped by the KTA OPO idler. In the Phase I effort we demonstratedan IR-source consisting of (1) an efficient, 500-Hz repetition rate, 1-micron source generating 15-mJ nsec pulses; (2) a KTA OPO with a combined signal and idler average power of 2.5 W at 500 Hz repetition rate. Phase II development will emphasizetechnology that is ultimately field-suitable and efficient in terms of prime-power use, wavelength agility and single-frequency operation.