High-Performance Optical Fibers for 100-Watts Infrared Lasers

The Department of Defense has made significant investment in high-power infrared laser sources for critical U.S. military applications like infrared countermeasure (IRCM).  There is a need to leverage the high-power infrared laser technology by developing a corresponding high-performance infrared fiber technology.  Advanced IRCM laser systems will emit over 100 Watts power in multiple wavelengths covering the mid-wave infrared between 2-6 micron.  Current fiber transmission capabilities at these wavelengths are limited by either water absorption or other losses.  In addition, there are no available infrared fibers that can transmit >100 Watts laser power without damage.  Also, the infrared fiber strength and the ability to withstand extreme military environments (vibration, temperature, and humidity) are problematic issues.  The proposed effort will demonstrate and design an approach to produce high-performance optical fibers capable of low-loss (100 Watts) over 5-meter long fiber with the mechanical properties to operate in military environments (vibration, temperature, and humidity).  A clear development path toward manufacturing the improved fiber technology will be presented.