3-Band ps Pulse High Energy Compact Laser System for Marine Wave Boundary Layer Atmospheric Characterization Instrument Development

Gaining a deeper experimental and theoretical understanding of maritime turbulence and laser light propagation in the marine boundary is required to optimize the performance of critical communication and defensive and offensive laser light engagements. Increased understanding of beam propagation through the turbulent flows of the marine layer will help the US Navy improve the performance of beam optic directors, adaptive optics, and other turbulence mitigating techniques and improve the safety and security of the warfighters. The Advanced Marine Layer Characterization Source is a SWaP-efficient fiber laser capable of generating 10W of average power to study the marine layer and enable several new avenues of research by providing high power pulses in the Deep Ultraviolet (DUV), the visible, and the near-IR (NIR). The multi-wavelength measurement system will enable measurement and modeling of key elements of the near surface marine layer. The novel fiber laser system can also be a key performance enhancement to the Navy’s expanding programs in High Energy Lasers. The picosecond pulsed laser system can be integrated into the tracking and control system to provide closed loop feedback to improve the targeting of the HEL beam on target.