Compact Ultra-Wideband Optical Frequency Comb Fiber Laser

Based on our success in developing the world first commercial 10 W femtosecond fiber laser system and our leading technology development in ultrashort pulsed fiber laser and nonlinear fiber optics, PolarOnyx proposes, for the first time, a compact all fiber based high power mid-IR OFC source and sensor system. The laser is a specialty fiber based MOPA incorporating our proprietary technology of pulse shaping, spectral shaping and polarization shaping in generation mid-IR pump source and supercontinuum generation. A tabletop experiment will be demonstrated in Phase I time frame for proof of the concept. A hardware will be delivered in Phase II.

With successful development of the laser, the technology proposed by PolarOnyx will provide a vital tool to solve the existing and potential issues and merge with the huge markets including Material processing. This includes (1) all types of metal processing such as welding, cutting, annealing, and drilling; (2)semiconductor and microelectronics manufacturing such as lithography, inspection, control, defect analysis and repair, and via drilling; (3) marking of all materials including plastic, metals, and silicon; (4) other materials processing such as rapid prototyping, desk top manufacturing, micromachining, photofinishing, embossed holograms, and grating manufacturing. Medical equipment and biomedical instrumentation. The high power amplifier/laser can be applied to ophthalmology, refractive surgery, photocoagulation, general surgery, therapeutic, imaging, and cosmetic applications. Biomedical instruments include those involved in cells or proteins, cytometry, and DNA sequencing; laser Raman spectroscopy, spectrofluorimetry, and ablation; and laser based microscopes.

Immediate NASA applications include atmospheric sensing of environmentally important gases such as methane, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide, and in on-line monitoring of exhaust gas pollution by industrial plants, vehicles, and jet engines. Other possible applications include collision avoiding radar, ammonia and water vapour sensing in agriculture, medical diagnostics, molecular spectroscopy, point-to-point atmospheric communication, remote control, etc. It can also extend to biomedical application and material processing.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 5) — 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.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.