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DIRECTED ENERGY PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY

Abstract: 24-Symp-122

UNCLASSIFIED, PUBLIC RELEASE

Mid-Wave Infrared Ultrashort Pulse Laser Development: Recent Progress and Next Steps

High peak and average power Ultra Short Pulse Laser (USPL) sources are rapidly evolving. Of particular interest to this community are sources in the less proliferated short-wave, mid-wave, and long-wave infrared (SW/MW/LWIR) regions. Nonlinear propagation, secondary emissions, and plasma effects are among the key driving physical effects of interest with desirable wavelength scaling. Modeling and simulation efforts in areas such as MWIR nonlinear propagation remain un-verified due to a lack of available experimental data. Currently available U.S. domestic sources in these spectral regimes are limited in either pulse energy (<0.1 mJ) or repetition frequency (1-20 Hz). Recently, our team has designed and built a high pulse energy and repetition frequency MWIR USPL using custom in-house developed components and nonlinear crystals. Our MWIR USPL research will enhance experimental DoD effects testing capabilities and will enable a path for further scaling to longer wavelengths and higher power.
FAST Labs is the central research headquarters of BAE Systems, with HEL technologies and effects capabilities ranging from basic research to prototype flight hardware. USPL research at BAE Systems is a part of our overall pulsed laser research portfolio, which spans all pulse duration regimes and focuses on longer wavelengths. Our main approach is to scale pulsed SWIR pump laser peak and average power while developing advanced nonlinear crystals for conversion to the Mid- and Long-wave infrared. This presentation will cover recent progress on USPL source development as well as on-site experimental capabilities and nonlinear crystal technology. Achieved USPL metrics, lessons learned, remaining challenges, and future plans for laser development and experimental testing will be emphasized.

UNCLASSIFIED, PUBLIC RELEASE