We propose to develop a general method for the development of a fiber-coupled laser diode that is highly efficient at the conversion of electrical power into a high brightness laser beam. The overall goal of this program is to deliver 500W of power, CW, from a single fiber with a brightness of 1MW cm-2 sr-1. As a Phase I demonstration, a device of over 100W will be built with the same brightness and a coupling efficiency of 70%. Advanced optical coupling techniques developed at Apollo Instruments will provide the basis for construction of the system. The laser system will be highly compact, simple, and low in cost. The success of the program will eliminate a major obstacle in current fiber laser development. The enabling technology will also benefit laser material processing, diode pumped solid-state lasers, and high power laser beam transmission. One of the main guidelines in the system design is to develop a high performance fiber-coupled laser diode system that system that is easy to realize, simple to use, and inexpensive to build.
Keywords: High Brigtness Laser, Fiber Coupling, High Power Density , Fiber Coupled Diode Lasers, Fiber Coupling Efficiency, Diode Laser Array
