A Comparison of Two Prototype Laser-Optical Firing Systems
The design and characterization of small, ruggedized laser-optical subsystems is required for the continued development of robust laser-optical firing systems. Typically, these subsystems must be capable of generating the needed laser optical energy, delivering that energy via fiber-optical cables while taking up occupying a volume as small as possible. A novel beam splitting and fiber injection scheme has been proposed which utilizes two diffractive optical components. These components were utilized to reduce the volume of a previously designed system. A laser-optical prototype system was assembled and tested which utilized this beam splitting and fiber injection scheme along other modifications to the laser module and the power supply. This prototype was based on earlier designs that utilized environmentally proven opto-mechanical sub-assemblies. The system was tested to characterize the laser performance, the splitter-coupler transmission efficiency, channel-to-channel energy balance and fiber interchangeability. The results obtained for this design will be compared to the performance of a prototype system based on a more traditional beam splitting and fiber injection scheme. The traditional design utilized partially reflecting mirrors for beam splitting and plano-convex lenses for fiber injection. These results will be discussed as will their ultimate impact on future designs and packaging strategies.
- Research Organization:
- Honeywell FM&T - Kansas City Plant
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE - National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-01AL66850
- OSTI ID:
- 935133
- Report Number(s):
- KCP-613-8480; TRN: US200902%%628
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Optical Technologies for Arming, Sizing, Fuzing and Firing IV SPIE's Symposium-Optics & Photonics, San Diego, CA, 8/11/2008
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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