SBIR-STTR Award

Space Power, Inc. will use a solid-state laser to cover the wavelength range from near IR through visible to near UV using a laser-type doped silica sol-gel. Materials temperature limitations previously prevented the doping of organic dyes in inorganic solids. The sol-gel technique solves this problem. The resulting material has potential advantages over liquid-based dye lasers while maintaining their tunability and flexibility. There is evidence that solid-state dye lasers will be more efficient and have longer life than liquid dye lasers. Sol-gel also has far better thermooptic properties. The advantages over other silica fabrication methods are: production of silica gels at low temperature, and enable fabrication of pure and homogeneous samples.

An innovative new solid-state laser is being developedwith the unique potential to cover the wavelength range from nearIR through visible to near UVin either CW or pulsed modes. Theconcept is to use a dye-doped sol-gel-derived silica. Visiblelaser actin in such materials has already be demonstrated at roomtemperature at Space Power Inc. (SPI). We have doped silica withover ten different dyes. Very high levels of gain have beenachieved permitting us to be the first to demonstrate superradiance in dye-doped silica. We propose to develop reliablefabrication technology for this type of laser host material thatwill make this into a commercial and military product. Dye-dopedsilica has many potential advantages over liquid-based dye laserswhile maintaining theirtunability and operational flexibility.Most importantly, dye-doped silica eliminates the flowing toxicchemicals associated with liquid dye lasers, as well as all theassociated maintenance and reliability issues. In addition, theevidence shows that solid-state dye lasers will be more efficientand have longer life than liquid dye lasers. Sol-gel also has farbetter thermo-optic properties. The sol-gel process also permitsvery pure and homogeneous doped samples to be fabricated. Thisproposal addresses fabrication issues including sample size,surface finish, flatness, dye doping levels, and fluorescenceproperties. We will jointly develop commercial lasers using thenew laser material with two commercial laser makers.