A compact high-power ultrafast fiber laser system for high resolution and high se

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This SBIR Phase I project proposes a novel all-fiber ultra-compact high-power mode-locked fiber laser OPO system based on PolarOnyx's proprietary technologies for polarization and pulse shaping. The proposed laser syste m is an enabling technology for optical Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering (CARS) microscopy with two synchronized picosecond (ps) pulses. The design proposed by PolarOnyx employs photonic crystal fibers (PCFs) to manipulate dispersion, Self phase modul ation (SPM), and wavelength-dependent gain. The system has no moving parts and requires very little space: the cost and size will be at least four-fold less than other competing approaches. The design is simple yet robust in construction and easy to operat e. In the Phase I time frame, a prototype will be built to demonstrate mode locking and high power amplification of ps pulses and conduct a feasibility study for the design of the OPO system. In Phase II, fine tuning of the prototype to achieve high power (gt200 mW average power) tunable output pulses will be performed in addition to concurrent evaluation and application of the source to CARS microscopy biophysical imaging and chemical characterization projects.