Capabilities:

Laser material interaction theory and modeling.

Diode Array Characterization Laboratory

• Capable of testing arrays with up to 10 kw average power, 100 kw peak
• Environmental test chamber
• Integrated as well as time resolved spectroscopy
• Vacuum test chamber
• Beam profiling and intensity uniformity measurement capability
• Simulation and Modeling
• Failure analysis capability

High Energy Laser Effects Laboratory

• Portable laser weapon effects test set including Mach 0.9 sidewall wind tunnel
• 10 kw fiber laser
• High Power Laser diagnostics

Laser Micro-Machining Laboratory

• 1 W (avg) pulsed (150 fs) Ti:Sapphire laser
• 8W (avg) pulsed (10 ps) Nd:YVO4 Laser
• 30W (avg) pulsed (5 ns) frequency doubled Nd:YAG laser
• 18W (avg) pulsed (18ns) Excimer Laser
• 350W (avg) pulsed (.5 ms) Nd:YAG Laser


• All lasers equipped with integrated CAD-CAM capable high pressure workstations
• Laser material interaction modeling

Analysis Laboratory

• Scanning Electron Microscope with EDAX
• Nikon Optical Microscope
• Ultrasonic Testing

Thrusts:

Ultra-short Pulse Laser Micro-machining

• A fully instrumented laser micromachining laboratory has been developed and is being used for developing advanced manufacturing applications in metallic alloy drilling and cutting, semiconductor processing, as well as micro and nano-electronic manufacturing. Applications of femtosecond pulse lasers in the infrared as well as nanosecond pulse lasers in the ultraviolet and millisecond pulse lasers are being studied. This work is guided by a unique theoretical material interaction capability, tailored to each potential application.
  

High Power Laser Diode Arrays

• Working with a variety of diode and diode array assembly manufacturers, we are striving to develop a number of approaches to reduce the cost while improving efficiency of both the diode bars and the packaged arrays. Results are benchmarked in our unique diode array characterization laboratory capable of testing array packages ranging from a single bar up to 1000 bars with average powers approaching 10 kilowatts.

High Energy Laser (HEL) Lethality

• We work closely with the Navy and other DoD customers to establish the potential efficacy of laser weapons. Testing is carried out in Penn State Laboratories as well as at state of the art facilities around the country. Results are used to benchmark our theoretical simulation capability, and are combined with overall HEL system effectiveness simulations at Navy and contractor facilities.