Mid-wave infrared polarization-maintaining single mode fiber

Infrared countermeasures (IRCM) designed to prevent missiles from reaching their target are standard equipment on military aircraft. Most of mid-IR laser are polarized. The polarization state of a polarized mid-IR laser is not preserved if it propagates in a non-PM mid-IR fiber. Hence, polarization-maintaining mid-IR fiber is needed for propagation a polarized mid-IR laser. Next-generation infrared countermeasures will require preserving the polarization state of high power polarized mid-IR laser if it propagates in mid-IR fiber in order to be effective. Currently there is no commercially available mid-IR PM single mode fiber. Q-Peak Inc. proposes to develop an innovative, high power mid-IR polarization-maintaining single mode fiber which can deliver 10-W CW linearly polarized mid-IR laser from 2 to 6 um with high polarization extinction ratio and low propagation loss for next generation infrared countermeasure applications.