Award Data

This Phase II SBIR will demonstrate the feasibility of applying spectral beam combining (SBC) to large mode area fibers to enable power scaling to the 100kW level while maintaining the excellent beam quality provided by a single fiber laser. The anticipated result of the Phase II and the Phase II option will be the laboratory demonstration of a beam-combined fiber laser system, and the subsequent ...

We propose a Yb:S-FAP laser system that will provide over 1 J per pulse output at 100 Hz with excellent beam quality and high efficiency, in a package far more compact, and lighter weight than conventional laser systems. The proposed laser system uses design approaches compatible with space-qualification. The high-pulse-energy power oscillator architecture is especially suited to space platforms ...

Optically pumped, high power, mid-Infrared semiconductor lasers that operate at cryogenic temperature must be engineered to operate over large ambient temperature and harsh vibration environments to be able to be used in future IRCM systems. The proposed work will demonstrate novel methods of laser packaging that enable operation of a low cost, mid-infrared, semiconductor laser in military tempe ...

The Navy requires high power laser sources that can provide multi-Watt output power levels in the mid-infrared for optical countermeasures of anti-ship missiles. Current state-of-art laser transmitters, consisting of diode-pumped solid-state lasers and optical parametric oscillators, have demonstrated the required optical power and wavelength in the mid-infrared spectral region. However, these l ...

Currently, mid-infrared lasers must be integrated into highly restrictive volumes near the outer surfaces of air platforms. Fiber coupling of mid-infrared lasers would enhance the tactical utility for such devices by enabling the laser to be remotely located from the pointer-tracker. The proposed work will demonstrate the efficient fiber coupling of a mid-infrared semiconductor laser in a low lo ...

This Phase I project proposes an improved laser designator module. This improved module combines diode-pumping with a unique ceramic laser medium and innovative thermal management to provide a system that is small, lightweight, and able to be fully-operational in less than 30 seconds. This design is potentially 5x lighter than current designators, with equivalent optical performance.

The Navy needs a compact extended range underwater imaging system that can image through > 6 attenuation lengths with 0.25" resolution. Present systems are limited by scattering to ~ 5 attenuation lengths. To meet the need, we propose a compact, adaptive raster scanner, using a doubled Yb fiber laser for the transmitter, a wide field-of-view (FOV) receiver, and an annular APD detector array, ena ...

The MDA and other elements of the Department of Defense (DoD) have multiple applications for high power laser sources, including deployment in space where power, size, weight and refueling logistics are issues. Applications include acquisition and identification of missiles or other threats, tracking and destruction of such threats, decoy rejection, and defeat of enemy electro-optic sensors. Hig ...

Advanced Ceramics Research, Inc. (ACR) proposes to develop novel intermetallic composite systems for high strength materials capable of releasing energy on demand. This effort will combine our Fibrous Monolith (FM) processing expertise and new approaches in intermetallic design to develop a new generation of cost-efficient, high strength and reactive composites. The proposed material system will ...

In this phase I SBIR program, Advanced Ceramics Research, Inc. (ACR) proposes the development of an innovative, one-step co-curing fabrication process for sandwich composite structures with a flexible insulating material encapsulated by an fiberglass/epoxy face sheet for thermal and acoustic barrier applications. The flexible insulating material has excellent thermal and acoustic properties, is c ...