SBIR-STTR Award

There is a compelling need for compact high brightness mid-wavelength infrared (MWIR) lasers. Applications of such sources include spectroscopic detection of the fingerprint 0x9D of molecular absorptions, illumination, electronic warfare (EW), and infrared countermeasure (IRCM) systems in response to increasingly sophisticated seeker technologies and increased threat ranges. Todays state-of-the-art high power quantum cascade laser (QCL) sources are single emitter devices. We propose, for the first time, to produce a 100-W-class QCL bar. These QCL bars can be stacked to obtain > 1 kW in a stack. Such a bar will be used in combination with TeraDiodes proprietary Wavelength Beam Combining (WBC) to produce a single, nearly diffraction-limited output beam at hundreds of watts to kilo-watts in output power.

Benefit:
Anticipated benefits of the research and development performed in this program include: 1. Very high brightness and power all-semiconductor laser module 2. Very low size, weight, and power (SWAP) 3. >= 100 W CW projected power

Keywords:
Wavelength Beam Combination, Wavelength Beam Combination, quantum cascade lasers, Bars and stacks, high power

At the completion of Phase II of this program TeraDiode will aim to create a 100 W QCL bar that will have the ability to be stacked to generate =1 kW of MWIR power. In a Phase II Option, if exercised, we will create a WBC resonator for the 100 W bar, producing a 75 100 W output with M2 = 2. TeraDiodes proprietary WBC technology allows for the combination of each of the individual emitters of the bar into a single high-brightness nearly diffraction limited beam.

Benefit:
We plan on transitioning the laser technology developed during this program to the Department of the Navy. We are currently working closely with Prime Contractors including Northrop Grumman Laser Systems, Northrop Grumman Rolling Meadows, and BAE Systems to provide prototype lasers for future DoD programs in the areas of Electronic Warfare and Infrared Countermeasures. We are also working on business development and marketing in the commercial market for the high power MWIR laser technology. We will develop applications in medical lasers and spectroscopy based on the high power MWIR laser technology that we develop in this program.

Keywords:
high power, Array, Infrared countermeasures, high brightness, Wavelength Beam Combination, Quantum Cascade Laser, Bar