Novel Compact Ultrashort Pulse MWIR-LWIR Laser Sources Based on Advanced MIR Fiber and Waveguide Technologies
Abstract
Approved for Public ReleaseThere are several applications -- and DoD mission needs -- for high peak power ultracompact ultrashort pulse (USP) mid-wave infrared and long-wave infrared (MWIR and LWIR) wavelength laser sources, such as for advanced infrared counter-measure systems, for annulment of incoming hostile weaponry, and for surveillance and communication systems, particularly in above-ground scenarios. In this regard, ultrashort pulse (USP) mid-wave and long-wave infrared laser sources are particularly promising forhigh peak power and high peak intensity directed energy weapon (DEW) systems because of their potential for propagation over relatively long distances relative to their near-infrared (NIR) counterparts, in part due to the well-known wavelength-squared (lambda^2) dependence of the critical power limit for atmospheric transmission.Despite the fact that petawatt peak power levels have been achieved by many researchers in different laboratories around the world for several years now with NIR laser sources based on mode lockedsolid state lasers, and have been used in applications ranging from nuclear energy sources to compact particle accelerators and radiation sources, multi-terawatt ultrafast MIR (MWIR and LWIR) laser sources are still in a stage of relative infancy, with power levels of a few tens of terawatts achieved at non- optimal wavelengths in cumbersome lab environments.Nevertheless, despite these achievements in output powers, the overall sizes of the LWIR USP lasers demonstrated by previous researchers are extremely large, often occupying complete labs of relatively large size, and as such there is still a strong need for a relatively compact #table-top# solid state laser based USP LWIR source at specific wavelengths corresponding to optimal atmospheric transmission windows, and power levels approaching 1 terawatt (TW). The key objective of this research project is to demonstrate a clear pathway towards such a compact TW-level USP-LWIR source at wavelengths in the vicinity of 10 microns, and particularly at wavelengths corresponding to the best transmission windows in the atmosphere.Specific objectives of this project include:1.Demonstration of a compact (#table-top#) near-TW peak power USP LWIR solid-state laser source;2.Demonstration of highly efficient frequency conversion of ultrashort pulse (USP) laser sources from the NIR and MWIR wavelength ranges to LWIR wavelengths;3.Demonstration of ultrahigh peak power compact USP sources in the NIR and MWIR spectral ranges via advanced mode locking and chirped pulse amplification techniques;4.Elucidation of relevant scientific issues and achievement of key technology developments that will lead to future TW-level USP LWIR sources.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Apr 12, 2023
- Source ID
- N000142312378
Entities
People
- Nasser Peyghambarian
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of Arizona