SYLMAR, Calif., 16 July 2007.QPC Lasers Inc. has made initial shipments of its BrightLase high-power seed lasers to a U.S.-based customer developing high-energy fiber lasers for directed energy weapons applications.
The new BrightLase seed laser, based on QPC's patented and proprietary semiconductor laser technology, offers higher power than conventional diode-based seed lasers in a footprint that is smaller and lighter than traditional solid-state or fiber-based seed lasers.
Seed lasers serve as the engines for amplified laser systems utilized in a wide variety of applications including defense (long range atmospheric sensing, missile defense and range finding), industrial drilling, and marking. The high power performance of the BrightLase enables the customer to eliminate initial amplifying stages and shrink the overall size, weight, and cost of the system.
The Seed Laser is based on QPC's BrightLase single-mode laser technology. QPC has internally demonstrated single-frequency powers exceeding 3 watts at conversion efficiencies greater than 50 percent at 1064 nm.
The product provides diffraction limited, single frequency output and is available in both C-mounted and single-mode-fiber coupled packages with power up to 1.5 Watts CW at the industrial standard wavelength of 1064 nm and up to 1 Watt CW at the eye-safe wavelength of 1550 nm. Substantially higher peak powers can be achieved under pulsed excitation conditions. To enhance reliability, these products are assembled using state-of-the-art hard-solder processes and thermally expansion-matched mounts. For more information, see www.QPClasers.com.
