An Overview of Diode Lasers for Defense Applications

摘要

Diode lasers emitting from the visible red to 2.2 microns and beyond have broad utility in the defense space. Pumping applications range from fiber and solid-state directed energy laser weapons including diode-pumped alkali lasers (DPALs), eye-safe lasers to include Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR), to infrared (IR) counter measures. Direct diode uses include illuminators from the near IR to the eye-safe regime, as well as countermeasures. Package types include micro-channel cooled stacks, conduction cooled arrays, high-brightness fiber- coupled units, and next-generation heat sinks. An overview of diode laser capabilities will be presented to include a rated 600+W conduction cooled 200 micron core, 0.22 numerical aperture (NA) fiber-coupled package, a 2 kW 400-micron core, 0.22 NA fiber-coupled unit, tapered lasers, diodes emitting beyond 2.1 microns, and next- generation designs.