Wavelength Stabilized Two Dimensional External Cavity Arrays for Pumping Alkali Vapor Laser Systems

nLIGHT proposes a two dimensional Wavelength Stabilized Vertical External Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers (WS-VECSEL) as a pump source for Rb vapor alkali laser used in directed energy weapons. The integration of a narrow-band reflector (i.e. a volume holographic grating) into the external cavity portion of the resonator, the structure promises power scalability from a monolithic active gain media and the narrow-band performance of a VHG-locked diode laser. With experience in high power / efficiency diode lasers, wavelength stabilized diode sources free from power-penalty; device packaging expertise, and epitaxial growth capabilities, nLIGHT is uniquely suited to be successful in all aspects of this program.