N.P. PHOTONICS, INC. — Department of Defense SBIR Phase II: N103-210

Description

<p>NP Photonics proposes to develop an all fiber-based ultrashort fiber laser system capable of generating high average power (multi-watt), single mode beam (M2 &lt; 2) with high peak power per pulse and ultrashort pulse width (&lt; 1 ps). This type of laser has significant advantages in terms of reliability (no moving parts or alignment), room temperature operation, size, weight, and power efficiency compared to conventional solid state lasers. The active fiber in the laser is based on a highly efficient thulium doped germanate glass fiber which operates at 2 microns wavelengths. It represents the heart of the optical engine consisting of a mode-locked fiber laser and large mode area fiber amplifiers. This laser system is expected to have a major impact on many applications, such as, for example, infrared countermeasures (IRCM) where a suitable ultra-short pulse laser operating near 2m is needed to generate mid-IR (3m - 5m) super-continuum in a nonlinear optical fiber.</p>