Vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) is a new technology which can be used for developing high performance laser components for atom-based sensors technology. The narrow linewidth of VCSEL emission combined with good polarization extinction ratio and large spacing between the longitudinal modes, which makes them relatively immune to mode hopping, and their high reliability make them uniquely suited for this application. NASA requires high power (1W) diode lasers at certain alkali atomic lines.Princeton Optronics proposes an approach to develop such lasers for NASA in this SBIR using the VCSEL technology. In phase I, we would develop the specifications for the lasers and design and fabricate the devices for one wavelength and demonstrate feasibility for developing high power lasers in phase II.
