QPC Lasers completes defense contract, demonstrates eye-safe laser

SYLMAR, Calif., 11 Sept. 2008.QPC Lasers Inc., developer of high-brightness, high-power semiconductor chip-based lasers for the medical, defense, and industrial markets, has completed its initial Department of Defense contract to develop and deliver high-power, eye-safe surface-emitting diode pumps for directed-energy weapons applications.

This milestone development is of key importance in the future of DoD high-energy laser applications because this technology enables the fabrication to be wafer-based and cost effective, says a representative. The company has been invited to submit a proposal for a larger follow-on contract.

"QPC's is proud to be the first laser company in the world to demonstrate this new laser technology, which marries QPC's surface-emitting laser design with our capabilities in high-power, long-wavelength, eye-safe diode arrays," says Dr. Jeffrey Ungar, co-founder and CEO of QPC.

"QPC's demonstration points the way to a new generation of laser weaponry which combines the low cost of wafer-scale manufacturing with beams that are 100,000 to 1,000,000 times less hazardous to our soldiers. Besides directed-energy weapons, these chip-based lasers have great promise for other defense applications, including rangefinding, covert/active illumination for surveillance, and remote sensing," continues Ungar.