SBIR-STTR Award

100s of kW Peak Power Fiber Amplifier for Next-Generation LiDAR Application
Award last edited on: 3/25/2023

Sponsored Program
SBIR
Awarding Agency
NASA : GSFC
Total Award Amount
$872,826
Award Phase
2
Solicitation Topic Code
S1.01
Principal Investigator
Jihong Geng

Company Information

AdValue Photonics Inc

2700 East Bilby Road
Tucson, AZ 85706
   (520) 790-5468
   contact@advaluephotonics.com
   www.advaluephotonics.com
Location: Single
Congr. District: 07
County: Pima

Phase I

Contract Number: 80NSSC20C0428
Start Date: 8/21/2020    Completed: 3/1/2021
Phase I year
2020
Phase I Amount
$124,618
Based on our proprietary award-winning fiber laser technology, AdValue Photonics proposes an enabling fiber amplifier technology for the proposed NASA’s next-generation topographic LiDAR mapping applications. This technology can easily be extended from the near-infrared spectral region to the visible green region via nonlinear frequency doubling, benefitting future hydrographic LiDAR mapping applications. In the Phase I program, we will focus on the feasibility investigation of a high-peak-power fiber amplifier that can potentially meet all the specification requirements of NASA’s interest. In the Phase II program, we will experimentally demonstrate this enabling technology by developing a compact deliverable prototype amplifier unit at the end of the Phase II program. Potential NASA Applications (Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words) The proposed high-peak-power high-energy narrow-linewidth, pulsed fiber laser/amplifier provides an enabling technology for NASA’s next-generation LiDAR systems for measurements of the atmosphere and gas contents of the Earth, Mars, the Moon, and other planetary bodies. Furthermore, our unique fiber laser technology enables an all-fiber monolithic system design, which is compact, efficient, and highly reliable, benefiting to NASA’s air-borne and space-borne applications. Potential Non-NASA Applications (Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words) This fiber laser technology can be extended into other wavelength regions including eye-safe spectral region (1.55um and 2um), and visible spectral regions (0.5um and 0.78um) by nonlinear frequency conversion. Two frequency-doubled fiber laser systems at 776nm/780nm, based on our Er-doped fiber laser developed recently at AdValue Photonics can be used for Rb dating applications.

Phase II

Contract Number: 80NSSC21C0458
Start Date: 7/7/2021    Completed: 7/6/2023
Phase II year
2021
Phase II Amount
$748,208
Based on our proprietary award-winning fiber laser technology, AdValue Photonics proposes an enabling fiber amplifier technology for the proposed NASA’s next-generation topographic LiDAR mapping applications. This technology can easily be extended from the near-infrared spectral region to the visible green region via nonlinear frequency doubling, benefitting future hydrographic LiDAR mapping applications. In the Phase I program, we have preliminarily demonstrated the feasibility of such a high-peak-power Yb-doped fiber amplifier, and developed a preliminary mechanical design to package the amplifier system with two different cooling mechanisms. In the Phase II program, we will experimentally demonstrate this enabling technology by developing a compact deliverable prototype laser/amplifier unit that can generate 100s of kW peak power and >150W average power of nearly transform-limited spectral linewidth. By the end of the Phase II program, a prototype amplifier unit will be delivered to NASA Goddard Space Flight Center for evaluation test. Potential NASA Applications (Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words): This high-peak-power high-energy narrow-linewidth, pulsed fiber laser/amplifier provides an enabling technology for the proposed NASA’s next generation laser altimeter, which can be an innovative component in NASA’s next-generation LiDAR systems for measurements of the atmosphere and gas contents of the Earth, Mars, the Moon, and other planetary bodies. Furthermore, our unique fiber laser technology enables an all-fiber monolithic system design, potentially benefitting to NASA’s air-borne and space-borne applications. Potential Non-NASA Applications (Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words): This proposed fiber laser can be used for laser material processing and commercial LiDAR for wind energy industry and topographic mapping, and military application for target identification. The high peak power and high energy of pulsed lasers in an all-fiber monolithic platform could open new opportunities in many industrial, scientific, and military applications. Duration: 24