Bandwidth10 inc — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: MDA14-017

Description

Bandwidth10 (BW10) proposes to design and implement its high-speed wavelength tunable vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) technology at 1060 nm for use as a seed source for high energy laser systems using ytterbium-based (Yb) fiber amplifiers. Presently, the output power in ytterbium fiber amplifiers is typically limited by stimulated Brillioun scattering (SBS). By varying the seed source in the fiber amplifier either through phase or wavelength variation, the SBS can be significantly suppressed, allowing for significantly higher total output power from the laser system. Since the VCSELs are wavelength tunable, they are easily extendable to create a multi-channel system, which can be spectrally combined for an overall higher system power. Bandwidth10 has demonstrated wavelength-tunable lasers with wavelength tuning speeds in excess of 20 MHz, operating at 850 nm. Under this program, the company proposes to redesign their high-speed wavelength tunable VCSEL to operate at 1060 nm, making it compatible with high power ytterbium (Yb) fiber amplifier technology. The goal of this program is to deliver a low cost, low power, compact 1060 nm tunable VCSEL seed source with integrated phase/wavelength modulation suitable for ultra high power laser systems. Approved for Public Release 14-MDA-8047 (14 Nov 14)