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Compact, Short-Pulse Laser Source for Active Imaging Systems--Aculight Corporation, 11805 North Creek Parkway South, Suite 113, Bothell, WA  98011-8803; 425-482-1100, www.aculight.com

Dr. Matthias Savage-Leuchs, Principal Investigator, msavage-leuchs@aculight.com

Dr. Dennis Lowenthal, Business Official, dennis.lowenthal@aculight.com

DOE Grant No.  DE-FG02-03ER83589

Amount:  $749,993  

Future active imaging systems for national security applications (for remote reconnaissance, monitoring and characterization of hard targets, and compact surveillance devices) require compact, rugged, and efficient short-pulse laser sources that can operate over a wide-repetition-rate range.  To deploy these devices on ground, air, and space platforms, the new laser sources are required to increase the range and improve image resolution.  This project will develop a short pulse, high power, high-repetition-rate laser source based on innovative fiber amplifier technology to meet these requirements.  The approach uses recently developed components from the telecommunications industry to realize an all-fiber-based laser source that is efficient, compact, and very reliable.  In Phase I, a very compact, robust, and small-size fiber laser system was built and delivered to the DOE.  The feasibility of the concept was demonstrated by generating pulses with a peak power of 100 kW and a pulse duration of 700 ps.  A preliminary design of a 10W, 1.54 µm power amplifier that generates <1 ns between 100 kHz -1000 kHz was completed.  In Phase II, a pulsed fiber laser system that exceeds DOE specifications will be built.  The fiber laser system will generate 10W of average power with a pulse duration less than 1 ns at a repetition rate of 100-1000 kHz.  The output of the fiber laser source will be polarized.

Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by awardee:  Short pulse, cost effective fiber laser systems should find a variety of military and industrial applications fin imaging systems.  As the laser systems are maintenance-free, no specialty trained personnel are required for reliable operation.