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Low Power Consumption Laser for Undersea Communications

Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Navy
Contract: N00039-02-C-3227
Agency Tracking Number: N011-0859
Amount: $743,298.00
Phase: Phase II
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: N/A
Solicitation Number: N/A
Timeline
Solicitation Year: N/A
Award Year: 2002
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): N/A
Award End Date (Contract End Date): N/A
Small Business Information
11805 North Creek Parkway S. Suite 113
Bothell, WA 98011
United States
DUNS: 801518747
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Steve Tidwell
 Principal Research Engr.
 (425) 482-1100
 steve.tidwell@aculight.com
Business Contact
 Roy Mead
Title: Vice President
Phone: (425) 482-1100
Email: roy.mead@aculight.com
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

"The Navy is faced with the problem of transmitting data betweenvarious platforms and underwater instrumentation. Security andsafety prevent physical contact between the platform and the datasource so remote optical communication is necessary. A frequencydoubled Nd:YAG laser is used in these situations because itproduces a green beam for efficient transmission through coastalwaters. Unfortunately, these lasers are inefficient so they arerelatively large and power hungry. Aculight offers uniquesemiconductor laser technology that requires only 5% of theelectrical power of comparable Nd:YAG lasers and can be directlymodulated and fiber coupled. The innovation enables the use ofblue/green lasers in battery-powered instruments that mustoperate underwater for extended periods. We demonstratedelectrical efficiencies of 30% in the Phase I program. Thistechnology can yield lasers with optical powers ranging from 100mW to over 100 Watts and wavelengths from ultraviolet to mid-infrared. In this program, we propose to build a compact laserthat will produce a high quality red beam that can be upgraded togreen when the diodes become available. The red laser, althoughmerely a first step, has a detection distance that is only 20%shorter than a comparable DPSS laser.BENEFITS: The high brightness visible semiconductor laser we will develop has direct application as an illuminator for photodynamic therapy drugs. In some cases, the laser energy

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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