SBIR-STTR Award

We propose a modular, extensible software package for modeling fiber laser arrays. This module will be developed using Mathwork''''s MATLAB and SIMULINK tools. This will ensure compatibility with a wide variety of computer systems. The software will be developed around a graphical user interface that will provide the user with a wide variety of options for modeling any type of fiber laser system. The primary emphasis of Phase I will be the development of a model of a single fiber laser, with the capability to evaluate that laser''''s performance under harsh environmental conditions.

Benefit:
Modular model with a graphical user interface that will allow for the modeling of a single fiber laser-amplifier Modular design allows easy extensibility of model Modules that will allow simulation of fiber laser under extreme conditions Predictive capabilities Validation against existing fiber laser systems in the AFRL DE test bed.

Keywords:
Fiber Lasers, Arrays, Combiners, Fiber Components, High Power, Modular, Extensible

In Phase-I of this work, a steady state model incorporating the most important nonlinear effects was successfully developed to analyze passive phasing of fiber amplifier arrays. This work showed a technique of reverse pumping to mitigate Four-Wave Mixing (FWM) and Cross-Phase Modulation (XPM) in fiber amplifiers. In Phase II we propose to extend the modeling developed in Phase-I to include time-dependent dynamic effects to understand observed stability and mode-locking phenomena. We propose to employ the two 1kW fiber amplifiers at the Albuquerque Northrop Grumman site to validate theoretical predictions of this work. The modeling effort should provide better understanding and assessment of passive phasing fiber systems and help in improving the performance of these systems.

Benefit:
The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) has been in the forefront of combining lasers for power scaling of solid state lasers including diode lasers (PILOT program) and currently fiber lasers. Currently, there are several promising approaches for fiber laser combining, with each having advantages and disadvantages. Some are more suited for certain applications than others. Modeling rooted in experimental work is essential to gain clarity in sorting out the different approaches with their ideal applications. Libration Systems will commercialize the software developed under this SBIR for sale to Government and industry for work in fiber lasers.

Keywords:
Fiber Lasers, Beam Combining, Mode Locking, Four Wave Mixing