STTR Phase I: Spectrally Diverse Ultrafast Lasers

这个小型企业技术转让第一阶段研究项目解决了从可见光到中波红外光谱区域的高功率超快激光器的需求。这项研究将开发一个高度创新的超快激光系统，发射亚皮秒脉冲，是基于受激拉曼散射，受激布里渊散射和四波混频之间的未开发的耦合。由于这些过程都不需要与单光子跃迁共振，因此该技术将导致几乎任何波长的超短脉冲产生。此外，波长灵活性使得能够使用成熟的极高功率二极管和光纤激光源进行泵浦。增益介质的独特特性将使该系统能够缩放到千瓦平均功率水平。 具有这种光谱可达性的高功率超快激光系统具有商业潜力。例如，该源可以用于避免或瞄准中波红外中的大气和/或材料反射。因此，它可能导致例如大大改善自由空间地面到卫星通信系统，高效激光加工/焊接，主动超光谱成像和超快材料研究。

This Small Business Technology Transfer Phase I research project addresses the need for high-power ultrafast lasers from the visible to the mid-wave infrared spectral regions. This research will develop a highly innovative ultrafast laser system emitting sub-picosecond pulses that is based on unexplored coupling between stimulated Raman scattering, stimulated Brillouin scattering, and four-wave mixing. Because none of these processes requires resonance with a single-photon transition, the technique will lead to ultrashort pulse generation at virtually any wavelength. Furthermore, the wavelength flexibility enables pumping with mature, extremely high power diode and fiber laser sources. Unique features of the gain medium will enable scaling of this system to the kilowatt average power level. There is commercial potential for a high-power ultrafast laser system with such spectral accessibility. For instance, this source can be used to avoid or target atmospheric and/or material absorptions in the mid-wave infrared. It could therefore lead for example to greatly improved free-space ground-to-satellite communications systems, efficient laser machining /welding, active hyperspectral imaging, and ultrafast materials research.