SNAKE CREEK LASERS LLC — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: N201-073

Description

We propose to refine the development of a Yb,Er:Glass 1535 nm diode-pumped single-longitudinal and transverse mode ultra-narrowband miniature solid-state laser with low intensity and phase noise, and output powers > 100 mW, in an industry standard butterfly-type package with a volume of < 50 cm3. The laser will be coupled to a single-mode polarization maintaining optical fiber through a hermetic seal. The laser will achieve shot-noise-limited performance from 1-100 Ghz, and a Lorentzian bandwidth of < 2 kHz. We have already finished the design of Yb,Er:Glass lasers with outputs of > 100 mW and completed initial laboratory demonstrations of the technology. During a Phase I program, we would further experimentally scale the output power to at least 150 mW, and will characterize the RIN and phase-noise performance using both direct, and fiber-coupled devices. A detailed butterfly package design will also be completed, including hermetic sealing, as well as the Phase II plan. The work performed during the Phase I program will enhance and lower the risk for demonstrating optimized devices and packages that can be further tested during Phase II, including under airborne environmental conditions.