Leveraging on our extensive production experience in fiber optical components and fiber lasers, AGILTRON proposes to develop a new novel high pulse energy tunable blue laser with doped ZBLAN fiber. Based on enhanced blue upconversion by properly selected co-doped materials, the proposed blue fiber laser will be able to generate high power. Furthermore, by using Agiltrons proprietary beam combining technology, we will combine multiple fiber arrays together in a single fiber to produce high energy pulse output which has not been demonstrated before. In this Phase I Program, we will focus on the high pulse energy blue fiber laser design and development and high efficiency co-doped ZBLAN fiber design, development and testing. In addition, a pulsed and wavelength tuned seed laser prototype will be designed and demonstrated. A fully functional, compact high power blue laser prototype will be produced in Phase II.
Benefit: The applications of this high power blue fiber laser are both in defense (military) and commercial domains. This lightweight portable visible fiber laser will be used in submarine imaging, sensing and communications, high rate data storage, undersea oil exploration, full color displays and biomedical and medical surgery. The unique high power properties of blue lasers will allow for long distance projection and far field scanning displays to offer high-grade visualization in harsh environments and to the commercial projection display industry.
Keywords: fiber Bragg grating, fiber Bragg grating, Fiber blue laser, Q-switch, Laser beam combining, Tm/Nd-doped ZBALN fiber, Phase Modulation
