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Compact, Low Power, and High Speed MEMS Mirror Based Laser Q-Switch

Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Army
Contract: W909MY-12-C-0026
Agency Tracking Number: A121-037-0794
Amount: $99,949.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: A12-037
Solicitation Number: 2012.1
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2012
Award Year: 2012
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2012-09-17
Award End Date (Contract End Date): N/A
Small Business Information
2700 Rydin Road Unit F
Ri, CA -
United States
DUNS: 193178808
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Veljko Milanovic
 Microsystems Engineer
 (510) 384-4158
 veljko@mirrorcletech.com
Business Contact
 Veljko Milanovic
Title: CEO
Phone: (510) 384-4158
Email: veljko@mirrorcletech.com
Research Institution
 Stub
Abstract

Q-switched lasers have the ability to create short, high energy laser pulses and therefore have many medical, industrial and military applications. Ultra compact laser designators (ULD) and laser range finders (LRF) are typical military applications requiring portable pulsed laser sources, where pulses are generated by Q-switched Nd:YAG or Erbium-glass lasers. Their active, electro-optic Q-switches require costly crystals, polarizers, and bulky high voltage (~3kV) pulse generators. Saturable absorber-based passive Q-switches are inexpensive and simple, but introduce significant optical losses resulting in low laser efficiency. This project aims to develop a high efficiency and low cost MEMS mirror Q-switch which will increase laser performance, reduce complexity and size, reduce power consumption, and reduce cost over existing technology. Mirrorcle Technologies single- and dual-axis scanning mirrors are ideally suited for this purpose. They are fast, highly compact, and require negligible power consumption. Mirrors are scalable from<1mm to several millimeters for different laser designs and wavelengths, and can be separately coated with high-reflectivity coatings before assembly with actuators. Gimbal-less dual-axis approach enables fast switching and"alignment in the field"capability and compensation for thermal and mechanical alignment drifts. Mirror performance can be tuned to specific laser requirements. Driver circuits fit on a credit-card sized PCB.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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