Defense & Aerospace Lasers – Lasers for Defense & Aerospace Markets

What are Defense & Aerospace Lasers?

Defense & Aerospace Lasers are cutting-edge laser systems designed specifically for applications in the defense and aerospace industries. These advanced lasers serve a multitude of purposes, ranging from remote sensing and target acquisition to precision ranging and illumination. With their ability to provide accurate measurements, enhance situational awareness, and deliver focused energy, defense and aerospace lasers are instrumental in supporting military operations, aerospace research, and strategic surveillance. They are integral components in modern defense and aerospace technologies, contributing to the development of more effective and efficient systems for a wide range of applications.

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Lasers are widely deployed throughout modern military technology, ranging from electro-optic sensors to directed energy weaponry. Because the range of applications for lasers in the defense community is so wide; so too are the variety of laser techniques, especially solid-state lasers.  Solid-state lasers, including diode lasers, diode pumped solid state (DPSS) lasers, and fiber lasers offer superior mechanical integrity and lifetime reliability when compared to other technologies such as gas lasers.

Within the vast defense application space, some of the largest submarkets for solid-state lasers are Remote Sensing & Imaging, Targeting & Ranging, and Laser Illumination.  Some of the most notable examples of these two categories are laser designation, night vision, and lidar.  While these systems utilize widely different technologies from high pulse energy DPSS lasers to single frequency long coherence length fiber lasers, one thing that most of these applications have in common is that they operate in the near infrared region.  The main motivations for this are two-fold, first and for most in defense laser applications is the fact that eye safety is of the utmost importance and secondly most laser applications in defense require a degree of anonymity making visible lasers undesirable.

Defense & Aerospace Laser Applications

Here are some of the key applications we support in the Defense & Aerospace Markets – Click an Application Group to learn more:

Remote Sensing & Imaging
  • Bathymetry
  • LIDAR
  • 3D Scanning
Targeting & Ranging
  • Range Finding
  • Target Designation
Laser Illuminators
  • Night Vision
  • Laser Dazzling
  • Anti-Sensor

 

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FL CW/CW Modulated Series

FL CW/CW Modulated SeriesThe FL CW/CW Modulated Series offers a variety of standard and custom CW fiber laser options. Available in both OEM and Turnkey formats, our 1um, 1.5um and 2um fiber lasers are manufactured to Telcordia standards and can be modified to meet your applications requirements. With available powers up to 100W at 1um, 30W at 1.5um and 40W at 2um, our CW fiber lasers are suitable for a wide range of applications. Available options and configurations include narrow linewidth, single frequency outputs, C and L-band broadband sources, PM fiber options, power tunability and high-speed trig./mod. Customized configurations are available upon request. 

FL-P Series

1um 1.5um Pulsed Fiber LasersThe FL-P series offers a variety of standard and custom pulsed fiber laser options. Available in both OEM and Turnkey formats, our 1um and 1.5um fiber lasers are manufactured to Telcordia standards and can be modified to meet your applications requirements. With available average powers up to 10W at 1um and 1.5um, peak powers up to 25kW, pulse widths in the range of 200ps to 100ns, and available options such as pulse monitoring, internal and external triggering, TTL or LVDS input signals, extended operating temperature range, and a robust design, our pulse series of fiber lasers are suitable for a wide range of applications. Customized configurations are available upon request.

Matchbox Series

R1Z4-Matchbox Laser

The Matchbox series offers excellent performance and reliability in the “World’s Smallest” ultra-compact, all-in-one, integrated laser head. They can operate on a 5V power supply while maintaining low noise operation. The monolithic design of the Matchbox Series laser includes thermally stabilized optics in a hermetically sealed housing, ensuring reliable and maintenance-free operation. This series is available in wavelengths from 405 nm thru 1064nm, with options for collimated beam or fiber-coupled output, and single-mode and multimode versions.

Aero Series

Aero Laser by Bright SolutionsThe Aero Series is a high-energy DPSS laser that operates at less than 15 nanoseconds with multiple wavelength options including 266, 355, 532, and 1064nm. This series provides unparalleled precision and accuracy in even the most challenging environments. All models come enclosed in an extremely compact and ruggedized single unit with a conductively cooled heatsink with a water-cooled option. It comes with available options for beam expanding and collimating optics. This laser series is ideal for applications like LIBS, spectroscopy, and Atmospheric LIDAR. 

Airtrac-MIL Series

AIRTRAC-LD

The AIRTRAC-MIL series is a ruggedized, high-shock, ultra-compact, actively q-switched, low-SWaP, DPSS laser, available with >90 mJ of pulse energy. Fully compliant NATO STANAG 3733 configurations for laser designation are available in a complete system weighing less than 1 lb. The athermal design of the AIRTRAC ensures high laser pulse energy, stable performance over the full temperature range with low beam divergence. 

JenLas D2

The JenLas D2 series of 532nm CW disk lasers offers cutting-edge laser technology with the highest electro-optical efficiency and beam quality, achieved through the suppression of thermal lensing. With advanced waterless cooling and TEC-controlled internal frequency doubling LBO crystals, they provide reliable and consistent performance. The family features a compact and rugged design, with high power capabilities, and our D2 mini laser which fits in the palm of your hand, allowing for easy integration into your system. Nd:YVO4 or Yb:KYW solid state lasers are ideal for industrial micro material processing and medical treatments. 

LDX Series

The LDX Series of made-in-the-US, high-power, multimode laser diodes provide wavelengths from 400nm – 1900nm, a wide range of output powers and package types, as well as completely customized solutions. We have been offering these high-quality laser diodes for over 25 years. The performance, reliability, and lifetimes are time tested, and if for some reason there is an issue, we will make it right. 

PowerMir Series

mirSense Product Family

The PowerMir series is a line of high-power pulsed Quantum Cascade Lasers (QCL) based on our proprietary technology. Various integration levels available, including plug-and-play benchtop turnkey systems, OEM driver + laser modules, or just the HHL-packaged lasers. QCW operation allows for increased wall-plug efficiency and thermal dissipation. The PowerMir series incorporates high-powered diodes emitting in the main transmission bands of the atmosphere and offers ITAR-free technology. The TEM00 Gaussian beam allows for high-quality performance, and the user-friendly Windows software streamlines operation. 

REP Series

The REP series includes high-performance, tunable, single-frequency (DFB-like) diode lasers and Fabry-Perot laser diodes in wavelengths from 1270nm thru 2350nm, designed to address challenges in Gas Sensing, LIDAR, Spectroscopy, and Telecom. The REP series includes high-power and narrow linewidth options, covering various product ranges at the most popular wavelengths, providing customizable units with multiple packaging options, including the Fiber coupled 14-pin butterfly, TO39 (w/TEC), and TO56. For a complete module incorporating the fiber-coupled butterfly package with an integrated current driver and TEC controller, designed for ease of operation, it is the ideal platform for high stability gas detection or remote sensing.  See the DX1 Series.

Microchip Series

Bright Microlaser Microchip SB1 Laser

The Microchip series is a line of ultra-compact, passively q-switched, single longitudinal mode (SLM), narrow linewidth, DPSS lasers that offer exceptional performance in a compact form factor. The lasers feature pulse durations ranging from 400 ps to 2 ns, energy levels up to 80 µJ, and repetition rates up to 100 kHz. Available in wavelengths from the UV to the NIR, this series is designed for OEM integrators and researchers working with LIDAR, 3D scanning, LIBS, night vision, and more. The lasers offer both nanosecond and picosecond options and are interchangeable with the same form factor and electrical and software interfaces across wavelengths, making them a flexible and versatile solution. 

SMX Series

image of several free-space and fiber-coupled laser diode package typesThe SMX Series is a high-power, thermally stable, and cost-effective line of InP laser diodes, available with wavelengths centered around 1470, 1550, and 1940 nm, perfect for medical, military, aerospace, LIDAR, free-space communication, and more! With a patented EPI structure, low-cost packaging, ISO certified supply chain with full lifecycle traceability, focus on ease of integration, and custom design capabilities, this laser diode family is an excellent choice for reliable, high-power InP devices.

Wedge Series

Wedge-XF-1064: 1064nm Picosecond Laser

The Wedge series is a line of DPSS lasers designed specifically for OEM applications such as micro machining of hard and soft materials, specialty marking, glass and crystal engraving, LIDAR, LIBS, spectroscopy, and medical diagnostics. These diodepumped lasers, based on proprietary fast Q-switching technology, are compact, sealed, and monolithic which makes them insensitive to vibrations and harsh environments. With high peak powers and relatively low energy and heat generation, they allow efficient ablation and non-linear interaction with most materials. The compact and lightweight package is a great benefit in LIDAR and other aerospace applications, while short pulses provide extremely precise time-of-flight measurements.