Objective
The AOARD laser program seeks innovative approaches and concepts that could lead to transformational advances in the generation and optimization of laser beams with high peak and high average power for future applications, related to directed-energy and standoff sensing. To this end, this program supports fundamental science in lasing processes in solids, liquids, gases, and plasma, and research that enhances the power, energy, beam quality and waveform stability of lasers across the wavelength spectrum is especially encouraged. Examples include novel processing techniques for high quality solid-state laser materials with control over spatial distributions of dopants and index of refraction, and processing methods for achieving low-loss lasers. Innovative ideas for high (average) power fiber lasers are of interest, including new materials, and large mode area structures, new ways of mitigating nonlinear instabilities, and studies of coupling multiple fiber lasers, which can withstand very high average power. Moreover, of particular interest are new light-generating materials and systems that are far from the thermodynamics equilibrium, such as highly doped polycrystalline materials, and layered semiconducting laser structures. Novel, compact, particularly tunable or wavelength flexible, infrared lasers are of interest for countermeasures and sensing applications. Close interaction with AFRL Technical Directorates (RD, RX, and RY) as well as Army, Navy and DARPA colleagues helps to drive the direction of this program.
Solicitation: grants.gov
Contact InformationMaj. Chris VergienAsian Office of Aerospace Research and Development (AOARD)7-23-17 Roppongi, Minato-kuTokyo, Japan 106-0032afosr.aoard@us.af.mil