3-Band Picosecond High Energy Compact Laser System

The Navy seeks technology that is oriented toward a deeper experimental and theoretical understanding of marine turbulence and laser light propagation in the marine boundary. Current measurement techniques, such as Doppler Velocimetry (LDV) technique, are limited to resolutions of 0.5 meters or greater and fall short of the required millimeter level resolution. A new type of spectral imaging modality and instrumentation is needed that will increase understanding of ocean evaporation and lead to better tools for measuring the marine boundary layer. A 3-band (near IR, visible, and UV) picosecond high energy laser system with over 1-mJ pulse energy for each wavelength at repetition rates of 1-5 kHz is required for future marine wave boundary layer atmospheric characterization instrument development. Such laser system is not commercially available. Q-Peak Inc. proposes to develop a high energy, compact, linearly polarized, 3-band picosecond laser system at wavelengths of 1030, 515, and 258 nm that generates over 1-mJ energy, 3-ps pulse width, 5-W average power for each wavelength at a repetition rate of 5 kHz for Navy applications.