Dual-use applications for e-beam-pumped semiconductor lasers

摘要

Abstract: The collapse of the Soviet Union opened many areas oflaser technology to the West. E-beam-pumpedsemiconductor lasers were pursued for 25 years inseveral Soviet institutes. Thin single crystal screensof II-VI alloys (ZnCd$-x$/Se$-1$MIN@x$/,CdS$-x$/Se$-1$MIN@x$/) were incorporated in laser CRTsto produce scanned visible laser beams at averagepowers greater than 10 W. Resolutions of 2500 lineswere demonstrated by the Russians. MDA-W is performinga contract for ARPA to assess e-beam- pumpedsemiconductor laser technology for high brightness,high resolution RGB laser projection application.Transfer of II-VI crystal growth and screen processingtechnology is underway, and initial results will bereported. Various techniques (cathodoluminescence, one-and two- photon laser pumping, etc.) were used toassess material quality and screen processing damage.High voltage (75 kV) video electronics were designedand procured in the U.S. to operate test laser tubesobtained from Russian sources. The primary militaryapplications of interest to MDA are flight simulatorvisuals, command center large screen projection andpossibly cockpit display. Laser radar, designation, andcommunication are secondary applications. Some of thecommercial applications included electronic cinema,teleconference display, university auditorium display,laser microscopy, and optical computing. Applicationsand plans for commercialization will be discussed.!8