APACHE - Very high gain and energy lasers at high medium power
Developing a strategic technological brick for laser systems combining very high amplification gains and high energy, compatible with high medium power.
Project subject:
APACHE (Active Plane Amplification Controlled by Heating Electrodes) is a collaborative R&D project led by ALPhANOV and the CEA. Its objective is to demonstrate the feasibility of a concept of free space amplification, with very high gain and high medium power, for the generation of short pulses in an energy range of 10-100mJ. The subject of the development of this amplifier, the technological brick, is supplied by a wide-mode fibre source, and will be integrable in an ultra-compact and robust format. The challenge of mastering beam quality involves the validation of a new process for actively controlling distortions of thermomechanical origin. The potential applications cover a broad spectrum of needs for the micro-machining industry, as well as for the scientific and medical fields.
ALPhANOV's role:
-
Development of elementary calculation tools for global laser and thermo-mechanical sizing, with definition and choice of components.
-
Table-top mock-up for measurement arrangement to demonstrate feasibility of optical architecture, the active distortion control process, as well as the evaluation of performance limits and associated compromises.
-
Functionalization of the doped medium at the heart of the system.
-
Following the preliminary validation phase, integration of a prototype demonstrator for qualification with partners. If the expected performance is met, this demonstrator could constitute an object of evaluation by potential customers.
Partners:
Funding:
Région Nouvelle-Aquitaine