No IDC DURIP: Ultrashort pulse hollow-core fiber lasers in the mid-IR
Abstract
Program Manager: Quentin Salter / Directed Energy Weapons: Ultra-Short Pulse Laser and Atmospheric Characterization Program OfficerAbstract:The rise of ultrashort pulse lasers (USPLs) based on Tm-doped silica fiber has led to turn-key systems with unprecedented pulse energies and peak power in the 2 µm wavelength range. Simultaneously the advent of low-loss, gas-filled hollow-core fiber (HCF)has opened the door for a new wave of mid-Infrared (mid-IR, 2.5-20 µm) systems pumped by 2 µm USPLs and emitting light at wavelengths > 2 µm. In this DURIP, we detail a plan to employ a commercial 2 µm USPL with up to 125 MW of peak power in conjunction with in-house fabricated HCFs to create world-leading performance in mid-IR USPLs. Pulsed laser systems operating in the mid-IR spectral region enable a myriad of commercial and defense applications, owing to their strong interaction with molecules. Large research efforts funded by the Department of Defense (DoD) are presently exploring the propagation of USPLs through the atmosphere, with the potential for tailoring them for microwave/RF generation. Such capabilities can be instrumental in next-generation drone countermeasures. Inbiomedical research, mid-IR pulsed lasers facilitate label-free imaging techniques such as mid-IR microscopy, enabling non-destructive and high-resolution visualization of tissue structures and biochemical compositions. Additionally, they play a crucial role in medical diagnostics, where they offer precise spectroscopic analysis of biomolecules, aiding in the early detection of diseases such as cancer. In materials science and engineering, mid-IR pulsed lasers find applications in precise material processing, including cutting, drilling, and welding of transparent materials like glass and polymers. Furthermore, they enable the fabrication of microstructures and photonic devices with exceptional precision and control. In environmental monitoring and remote sensing, mid-IR pulsed lasers provide insightinto atmospheric composition, pollutant detection, and greenhouse gas monitoring through techniques such as multi-spectral lidar. As the capabilities of mid-IR USPLs are enhanced, these systems will drive more advances in fields ranging from healthcare and materials science to environmental monitoring and defense. With the 2 µm USPL system in this proposal, our team will demonstrate both beam delivery and nonlinear wavelength translation using our HCF technology. For future high-power pulse delivery andbeam-combining experiments, propagation studies in HCF at 2 µm are crucial to understanding and ultimately enabling robust fiber optic cabling for mid-IR pulses. Gas-filled HCFs, meanwhile, are poised to usher in a new generation of ultrashort pulsed laser systems in the mid-IR. We will use the 2 µm USPL system as a pump laser to drive a variety of nonlinear processes (Raman, Four-wave mixing, and more) in gas-filled HCFs to explore the generation of high-power pulses at 3-5 µm and beyond.Approved for Public Release.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Mar 12, 2025
- Source ID
- N000142512175
Entities
People
- Darren Hudson
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of Central Florida Board of Trustees