TeraDiode, Inc. — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: There is a compelling need for scaling the output of mid-wavelength infrared (MWIR) and lo

Description

There is a compelling need for scaling the output of mid-wavelength infrared (MWIR) and long-wavelength infrared (LWIR) lasers to much higher power, brightness, and energy. Applications of such sources include spectroscopic detection of the"fingerprint"of molecular absorptions and infrared countermeasure systems in response to increasingly sophisticated seeker technologies and increased threat ranges. Existing, commercially available direct diode or semiconductor lasers have some of the most desirable attributes: highest efficiency, greatest compactness (small size, weight, and power or SWaP), and wavelength selectability from the UV to the mid-IR bands. The main disadvantage is poor output beam quality. TeraDiode"s technology of Wavelength Beam Combination (WBC) effectively solves the poor output beam quality problem of direct diode lasers. We will build a dual-band MWIR and LWIR laser for this program based on WBC of high power quantum cascade lasers with an average/peak power of 10/20 W and high beam quality. TeraDiode"s technical approach is scalable to much higher power and brightness levels.