NASA 1998 SBIR Phase I


PROPOSAL NUMBER: 98-1 27.02-9535

PROJECT TITLE: High Repetition Rate, 10-W Average Power Ultraviolet Laser Source

TECHNICAL ABSTRACT (LIMIT 200 WORDS)

The continued need to reduce cost and improve performance and efficiency of the existing earth and space science instruments requires innovations in laser devices. One such instrument is a Raman lidar. We propose a UV laser transmitter based on a novel, compact and electrically efficient laser capable of generating a 5 - 10 W near diffraction-limited beam at 349 nm The transmitter will be based on a diode-pumped, Q-switched, high-pulse-repetition -rate Nd:YLF laser and includes intracavity-pumped second and third harmonic generators. Diode-pumping and intracavity conversion will substantially increase the electrical efficiency of the proposed source whereas high-pulse rates and short pulses will provide for reducing the data acquisition time and a good depth resolution. The Phase I effort will demonstrate a laboratory breadboard 2.5-5 W UV transmitter and develop a point design for a higher-efficiency 10-W compact UV-source.

POTENTIAL COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS

The proposed system technology has immediate application in Raman lidar laser technology, in pollution monitoring and spectroscopic sensors. Additionally, the core laser technology has industrial applications that include material processing in the semiconductor industry.

NAME AND ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Dr. Yelena Isyanova
Q-Peak, Inc.
135 South Road
Bedford , MA 01730

NAME AND ADDRESS OF OFFEROR

Q-Peak, Inc.
135 South Road
Bedford , MA 01730