Test of High Power Laser Diode Protection Circuitry Designed and Built by Science Research Laboratories

摘要

High power laser diodes have important military applications, particularly for material processing, and for pumping solid state lasers. The latter in turn can be used for neutralizing explosives, intercepting rockets, missiles, mortar shells, etc. The Joint High Power Solid State Laser program makes exclusive use of laser diode pumping. Science Research Laboratories, Inc. (SRL) has developed electronic circuitry to extend the lifetime and/or output power of high power laser diodes. Their results have reported enhancements ranging from a factor of three for continuous wave (cw) operation to ten for pulsed operation. Our primary objective was to independently verify their results. Our testing shows that the prototype device works, and that the claims are valid.