Direct-diode laser illumination and pointing at eye-safe SWIR wavelengths

Nick Moor; John Goings; Prabhu Thiagarajan; Brian Caliva

doi:10.1117/12.2262721

Translator Disclaimer

1 May 2017 Direct-diode laser illumination and pointing at eye-safe SWIR wavelengths

Nick Moor, John Goings, Prabhu Thiagarajan, Brian Caliva

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 10192, Laser Technology for Defense and Security XIII; 101920H (2017) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2262721
Event: SPIE Defense + Security, 2017, Anaheim, California, United States

Abstract

Military, industrial, and medical applications have expressed interest in using ~1550nm laser diodes as efficient laser sources for reduced eye safety concerns, especially where free-space propagation is concerned. In addition, covert military applications, including pointers and illuminators, benefit from the spectral insensitivity of common sensor types to ~1.5um wavelengths. While more efficient than other sources, high-power broad-area laser diodes can sometimes require complex packaging and beam shaping/combining optics in order to meet requirements for brightness, uniformity, stray light, and environmental insensitivity. This paper will highlight and discuss a range of developments exploring laser diode components near 1.5um for free-space military applications, including broadarea high-power illuminators and highly-collimated pointers. Options for tailored beam conditioning and performance results will also be presented.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Nick Moor, John Goings, Prabhu Thiagarajan, and Brian Caliva "Direct-diode laser illumination and pointing at eye-safe SWIR wavelengths", Proc. SPIE 10192, Laser Technology for Defense and Security XIII, 101920H (1 May 2017); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2262721

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE