Miniature, Rugged, Pulsed Laser Source for LIDAR application, Phase I

Princeton Optronics proposes to develop a high energy pulsed laser source based on a novel approach. The approach consists of a technique to combine a large number of diode pumped solid state lasers. The resulting laser can be packaged in a very small package. We will develop the laser and package it into a laser welded package which can be space qualified. We can achieve 50mJ or higher level of energy at repetition rate of 10- 1000Hz with pulse duration of approximately 200ns. In phase I we would do the feasibility study for the approach and in phase II develop the complete packaged unit.

Potential NASA Commercial Applications: A high pulse energy laser will have a significant market for LIDAR, ranging, designation and remote sensing applications. The users will be military, NASA, homeland security, and for cutting, marking, welding and materials processing. Princeton Optronics will commercialize the product very soon after development. Potential Non-NASA Commercial Applications: High energy pulsed lasers has applications for LIDAR by NASA. The coherently coupled laser will be low cost and can be used for many other NASA applications including ranging, wavefront analysis, wind speed measurement, surface topography, atmospheric composition analysis. They can be used for remote sensing for entry descent and landing of spacecrafts.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 4) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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