Q-PEAK, INCORPORATED — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: A17-042

Description

There is a growing interest in shifting the wavelength of ultra-short pulse (USP) lasers systems to new spectral regimes, in order to harness the unique properties of USP lasers for new applications. For many of these applications high peak powers, on the order of terawatts (TWs), are desired. Due to the lack of laser gain media that are able to produce emission directly at mid-IR frequencies, current laser technology relies on nonlinear processes to generate light in this region of the spectrum. Optical parametric chirped pulse amplification (OPCPA) has been shown as a viable method for generating TW peak powers; however, these systems often utilize complex geometries and several stages of nonlinear conversion to reach the mid-IR. In an effort to simplify these systems and provide a path from laboratory proof-of-principle to fieldable technology, Q-Peak is offering an enabling technology that replaces the complex optical setups required to generate broadband, ultra-short, seed pulses with a monolithic, alignment-free, optical fiber based approach. Q-Peak will develop and demonstrate nonlinear conversion of ultra-short pulses to mid-IR frequencies using Raman-assisted Soliton Self-Frequency Shifting (SSFS) in IR transmissive optical fibers which can be used as a seed for high peak power OPCPA laser systems.