SBIR Phase I: High Power Mid-Infrared Vertical External Cavity Surface emitting Lasers With Gain Coupled Near-Infrared Outputs

由于激光源设计的灵活性，这个小企业创新研究（SBIR）第一阶段项目的更广泛的影响/商业潜力是广泛的。所提出的工作的目标是一种创新的方法来开发一种新型的紧凑、低成本、高功率的激光源，这种激光源的波长目前很难实现，同时提供额外的功能，而不需要额外的功耗。这将是一个高效的激光封装。除了应用丰富的中红外，激光设计可以很容易地扩展到其他波长的远红外，太赫兹，可见和紫外光谱部分。这种方法可以在许多技术领域产生重大影响。该项目范围内的发现将对中远红外激光器产生变革性影响，并有能力使以下学科受益：激光外科、牙科外科、皮肤病学、大气监测、化学传感，以及包括LADAR和激光测距在内的广泛国防应用。除了技术上的影响，拟议的研究将涵盖科学和工程的多个学科，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。这个小型企业创新研究（SBIR）第一阶段项目将解决在中红外（mid-IR）光谱区域工作的多功能激光源的需求。目前可用的激光源的能力有限。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。高功率垂直外腔表面发射激光器（VECSEL）采用多个芯片排列，具有达到在非常紧凑的封装中不易达到的波长的潜力。此外，多个激光腔的引入提供了一种产生近红外输出的手段，而不需要额外的功率消耗。采用大功率双谐振双色t腔VECSEL，实现了高效的差频转换。在中红外（8-12 μ m）光谱区域的高功率输出将通过一种新颖的设计来展示，其中VECSEL芯片将包含多个激光腔，可以在同一器件的近红外中提供广泛的光谱覆盖。这将提高效率，并提供更多的功能，如激光瞄准和测距，而不需要额外的功耗。

The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I projec is wide ranging due to the flexibility of the laser source design. The goal of the proposed work is an innovative approach to the development of a new class of compact, low cost, high-power laser sources at wavelengths that are currently difficult to achieve while providing addition functionality with no additional power consumption. This will make a highly efficient laser package. 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 many technical fields. The discoveries made within the scope of this program will have a transformative impact in mid- to far-IR lasers and has the ability to benefit 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.This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will address the need for versatile 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 lasers (VECSEL) which employs multiple chip arrangements have the potential to reach wavelengths that are not easily attainable in a very compact package. In addition, the introduction of multiple laser cavities provides a means for generating outputs in the near-IR with no additional power consumption. Using a high power doubly-resonant two-color T-cavity VECSEL, efficient difference frequency conversion will be achieved. High power outputs in the mid-IR (8-12 µm) spectral region will be demonstrated through a novel design in which the VECSEL chips will contain multiple laser cavities that can provide broad spectral coverage in the near-IR from the same device. This will lead to enhanced efficiency and provide more capabilities such as laser targeting and range finding with no additional power consumption.