SBIR Phase I: High Pulse Energy Mid-IR Vertical External Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers (VECSELs)

该小型企业创新研究(SBIR)第一阶段项目将满足在中红外(中IR)光谱区域运行的高脉冲能量激光光源的需求。目前可用的激光光源的能力是有限的。波长选择和最大输出功率是有限的，效率、可靠性和成本也是问题。采用多芯片布局的高功率垂直外腔表面发射激光器(VECSEL)的开发具有达到在非常紧凑的封装中不易获得的波长的潜力。此外，在激光腔内引入多个增益元件，为功率调节和极宽带中红外激光调谐提供了一种手段。这也使得提高其他参数振荡器激光光源的转换效率成为可能。采用高功率双谐振型双色T腔VECSEL，可实现高效的差频转换。通过一种新颖的设计来展示中红外光谱区域的高脉冲能量，其中一个VECSEL芯片将在连续波操作下操作第二种颜色时被脉冲。由于设计的灵活性，该项目的更广泛的影响/商业潜力是广泛的。拟议工作的目标是以一种创新的方法开发目前难以实现的波长的新型高脉冲能量激光光源。除了丰富的中红外应用外，激光器的设计还可以很容易地扩展到远红外、太赫兹、可见光和紫外线光谱的其他波长。这种方法可以在科学和工程的各个领域产生重大影响。该计划范围内的发现将对中到远红外激光产生革命性影响，并使多个学科受益，包括：激光外科、牙科外科、皮肤科、大气监测、化学传感以及包括激光雷达和激光测距在内的广泛国防应用。除了技术影响外，拟议的研究还将涵盖科学和工程领域的多个学科，包括高能材料特性、半导体物理、非线性光学和激光物理，这将提供一个独特的研究机会。

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will address the need for high pulse energy laser sources operating in the mid-infrared (mid-IR) spectral region. Currently available lasers sources are limited in their capabilities. Wavelength selection and maximum output powers are limited, and efficiency, reliability and costs are also issues. High-power vertical external cavity surface emitting laser (VECSEL) development which employs multiple chip arrangements has the potential to reach wavelengths that are not easily attainable in a very compact package. In addition, the introduction of multiple gain elements inside the laser cavity provides a means for power scaling and extreme broadband mid-IR laser tuning. This also makes it possible to improve upon the conversion efficiency of other parametric oscillator laser sources. Using a high power doubly-resonant two-color T-cavity VECSEL, efficient difference frequency conversion will be achieved. High pulse energy in the mid-IR spectral region will be demonstrated through a novel design in which one of the VECSEL chips will be pulsed while operating the second color under continuous wave operation.The broader impact/commercial potential of this project is wide ranging due to the flexibility of the design. The goal of the proposed work is an innovative approach to the development of a new class of high pulse energy laser sources at wavelengths that are currently difficult to achieve. In addition to the application rich mid-IR, the laser design can easily be extended to other wavelengths in the far-IR, THz, visible, and UV portions of the spectrum. The approach can have a significant impact in various fields of science and engineering. The discoveries made within the scope of this program will have a transformative impact in mid- to far-IR lasers and benefit a number of disciplines including: laser surgery, dental surgery, dermatology, atmospheric monitoring, chemical sensing, and a broad range of defense applications including LADAR and laser range finding. In addition to the technological impact, the proposed research will cover multiple disciplines in science and engineering including high energy material properties, semiconductor physics, nonlinear optics and laser physics which will provide a unique research opportunity.