N131-083 TITLE: Multiple Spectral Band Laser

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Sensors

RESTRICTION ON PERFORMANCE BY FOREIGN CITIZENS (i.e., those holding non-U.S. Passports): This topic is "ITAR Restricted". The information and materials provided pursuant to or resulting from this topic are restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120 - 130, which control the export of defense-related material and services, including the export of sensitive technical data. Foreign Citizens may perform work under an award resulting from this topic only if they hold the "Permanent Resident Card", or are designated as "Protected Individuals" as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). If a proposal for this topic contains participation by a foreign citizen who is not in one of the above two categories, the proposal will be rejected.

OBJECTIVE: Develop a compact, rugged, and multiple spectral band laser for target illumination and detection, meeting specified Nominal Ocular Hazard Distance and intensity requirements.

DESCRIPTION: Some military platforms require a laser diode based and small size, weight, and power (SWaP) multi-color laser for a variety of applications. While lasers with similar capabilities are commercially available, none can meet all of the following requirements:

1) Output beams with wavelengths at ~640 nm, ~830 nm, and ~1700 to be parallel within 50 micro-radians of azimuth, elevation and roll, and to not be separated more than 5 mm in azimuth.
2) Beam output divergence to be 2 mrads x 174 mrads with a beam profile of Gaussian in the Azimuth (2 mrads) and uniform in the Elevation (174 mrads).
3) A minimum of 2.0 watt peak power and maximum of 8.0 watts at each wavelength.
4) Pulse rise and fall times to be 1-2 microseconds for up to 10 kHz pulse modulation following an external synch signal.
5) Beam axes separation from laser outer mechanical housing no more than 10 mm from the module top or bottom.
6) Laser to provide laser temperature output.
7) Beam direction adjustable in elevation, azimuth, and roll to an accuracy of 0.1 mrad.
8) Wavelength stability with ambient thermal state variation from -40C to +70C.
9) Compact package for embedding into larger system optical heads. Laser module(s) includes laser head, thermal controller (if used), and modulated driver.

PHASE I: Prepare a design and build a breadboard that demonstrates significant progress (i.e. greater than 75% of some or all criteria) toward Navy optical output requirements listed above. Model projection optical design in Zemax. Measure M� along with all beam parameters required for laser hazard analysis. For Phase I report, vendor should submit lab measurement data to support Phase I breadboard performance, Zemax file, mechanical designs in IronCAD compatible format, electronic circuit diagram schematics, and detailed technical path forward to achieving 100% of Navy optical output requirements listed above.

PHASE II: Construct breadboard demonstrating 100% of Navy optical output requirements listed above. If projection optical design changed from Phase I breadboard design, model in Zemax. Measure M� along with all beam parameters required for laser hazard analysis. Provide breadboard hardware to Navy for evaluation/validation as an interim deliverable along with lab measurement data to support Phase II breadboard performance, Zemax file (if needed), mechanical designs in IronCAD compatible format, and electronic circuit diagram schematics. Construct four demonstrator units addressing initial packaging approach and deliver to Navy for testing as a final Phase II hardware deliverable. For Phase II final report, vendor should submit lab measurement data to support objective performance, mechanical designs in IronCAD compatible format, and electronic circuit diagram schematics.

PHASE III: Further reduce size, weight, and power while designing for reliability and environmental compatibility. Build 10 preproduction units with specific DoD application(s) as target. Conduct production engineering to reduce unit price.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: This technology could be used by any branch of the military or by civilian forces for terrain mapping, building or object mapping, construction, project maintenance, design, process control, and surveillance systems.

REFERENCES:
1. Ovtchinnikov, A., He, X., Kanskar, J., Mott, J., Yang, S., Supe, R., Thibault, K., Patel, R. 2000. "Highly Efficient Reliable Lasers for 830 nm Wavelength Range." In-Plane Semiconductor Lasers IV, Proceedings of SPIE, Vol. 3947: 21-31 http://lib.semi.ac.cn:8080/tsh/dzzy/wsqk/SPIE/vol3947/3947-21.pdf.

2. He, X., Patel. R., Ovtchinnikov, A., Kanskar, M., Yang., S., Harrison, J. 1999. "Record High CW Power for Monolithic Diode Arrays at 940 nm and 808 nm." Proceedings of LEOS'99 IEEE Lasers and Electro-Optics Society 12th Annual Meeting. Vol. 1: 74-75. DOI: 10.1109/LEOS.1999.813483.

3. Leisher, Paul, Kirk Price, Scott Karlsen, David Balsley, Doug Newman, Rob Martinsen, and Steve Patterson. "High-Performance Wavelength-Locked Diode Lasers." nLIGHT Corp Report, 5408 NE 88th Ste., Bldg. E, Vancouver, WA, USA 98665. http://dx.doi.org/10.1117/12.813528.

4. Venus, George B., Armen Sevian, Vadim I. Smirnov, and Leonid B. Glebov. "High-Brightness Narrow-Line Laser Diode Source with Volume Bragg-Grating Feedback." University of Central Florida Report, College of Optics and Photonics/CREOL, P.O. Box 162700 Orlando, FL, USA 32816-2700. http://ppl.creol.ucf.edu/pub-223.pdf.

KEYWORDS: Laser; multi-spectral; diode; sensor; wavelength; illumination

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

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