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3D Diode-Cross-Coupled Tapered Lasers for Kilowatt-Class, Chip-Scale, Laser…

Award Information

Agency:
Department of Defense 		Branch:
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency 		Award ID:
77314 		Program Year/Program:
2008 / SBIR
Agency Tracking Number:
06SB2-0278 		Solicitation Year:
N/A 		Solicitation Topic Code:
N/A 		Solicitation Number:
N/A
Small Business Information
nLight Photonics
5408 NE 88th Street, Bldg E Vancouver, WA -
View profile »
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No
 
Phase 2
Fiscal Year: 2008
Title: 3D Diode-Cross-Coupled Tapered Lasers for Kilowatt-Class, Chip-Scale, Laser Diode Phased Arrays
Agency / Branch: DOD / DARPA
Contract: W31P4Q-08-C-0316
Award Amount: $374,775.00
 

Abstract:

Based on promising results obtained under our Phase 1 SBIR contract, nLIGHT wishes to proceed with a Phase 2 program. In the proposed program, nLIGHT will continue the development of high power, single-lateral-mode tapered diode lasers. nLIGHT has identified fundamental limitations to the operation of tapered diode lasers and proposes novel design and fabrication process improvements which directly address these limitations. Prof. Eric Johnson at the University of North Carolina - Charlotte (UNCC) made significant progress towards the development of the MOPA phase-locked array in Phase 1. Using tilted gratings to couple laser emission out-of-plane while simultaneously providing single-mode laser operation, UNCC demonstrated coherent emission from multiple surface-emitting out-couplers in the master oscillator design. This collaboration will be continued, and proof-of-concept phase locking of multiple tapered power amplifiers will be demonstrated by Prof. Johnson's group. nLIGHT also believes the development of high-power, single-transverse-mode tapered diode lasers will enable a new generation of high brightness pump sources for a variety of applications, such as pumping kilowatt-level single-mode fiber lasers. Therefore, leveraging the results of the development proposed herein, nLIGHT will deliver to DARPA a prototype wavelength-stabilized pump module operating at 976 nm, capable of delivering 50 W in a 100-micron-core fiber.

Principal Investigator:

Paul Leisher
Device Engineer
3607135230
paul.leisher@nlight.net

Business Contact:

Jake Bell
Vice President, Defense G
3605664460
jake.bell@nlight.net
Small Business Information at Submission:

NLIGHT PHOTONICS
5408 NE 88th Street, Bldg E Vancouver, WA 98665

EIN/Tax ID: 912066376
DUNS: N/A
Number of Employees:
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No