TECHNOLOGY/BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY A method of combining two or more same wavelength narrow bandwidth linearly polarized laser beams

Opportunity: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), operated by the Lawrence Livermore National Security (LLNS), LLC under contract no. DE-AC52-07NA27344 (Contract 44) with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), is offering the opportunity to enter into a collaboration to further develop and commercialize its novel method of combining two or more same wavelength narrow bandwidth linearly polarized laser beams. Background: Crystal laser gain media like Neodymium-doped Yttrium Lithium Fluoride (Nd:YLF) and Neodymium-doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (Nd:YAG) have a narrow gain spectral bandwidth. Optical beam amplifiers require many stages of gain in order make the beam entering the subsequent amplifier able to extract the stored energy. If individual commercial laser could be combined into a single more energetic "seed" beam, then extracting energy from fewer amplifiers could be accomplished with minimal Size, Weight And Power dissipation (SWAP). Description: This invention utilizes transmission gratings to combine lasers of the same wavelength into a single collinear output. The transmission grating can be an all-bulk structure fabricated in fused silica, silicon, diamond, silicon nitride, etc. The transmission grating can also have dielectric coatings to increase diffraction efficiency and optical bandwidth. This invention makes possible collinear overlapped beam- for same wavelengths spectrum and bandwidth depending on system requirements. It fits into system designs requiring same wavelength of narrow spectrum to be combined into one beam. This invention transmission grating is 99%+ efficient at the combining of each beam. To our knowledge this is higher than filter beam splitters and UN-polarized spectral beam combining. This invention can be used in industrial beam combining and any other application where combining same wavelength beams is to system performance advantage motivated by each laser itself which has its own internal beam irradiance limitations. Advantages/Benefits: LLNL's novel method of combining two or more same wavelength narrow bandwidth linearly polarized laser beams: Enables combination of narrow, same wavelength laser beams, 99%+ efficient in combining of each beam, Combining same wavelength laser sources enables a simpler system configuration for serviceability, Can be realized in a compact optical assembly. Potential Applications: High power directed energy and industrial laser systems power scaled through the combination of multiple same wavelength beams. Development Status: U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2022/0260843 TRANSMISSION GRATING BEAM COMBINER published 8/18/2022 Current stage of technology development: TRL 3 (March 2023) LLNL is seeking industry partners with a demonstrated ability to bring such inventions to the market. Moving critical technology beyond the Laboratory to the commercial world helps our licensees gain a competitive edge in the marketplace. All licensing activities are conducted under policies relating to the strict nondisclosure of company proprietary information. Please visit the IPO website at https://ipo.llnl.gov/resources for more information on working with LLNL and the industrial partnering and technology transfer process. Note: THIS IS NOT A PROCUREMENT. Companies interested in commercializing LLNL's novel method of combining two or more same wavelength narrow bandwidth linearly polarized laser beams should provide a written statement of interest, which includes the following: 1. Company Name and address. 2. The name, address, and telephone number of a point of contact.' 3. A description of corporate expertise and/or facilities relevant to commercializing this technology. Written responses should be directed to: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Innovation and Partnerships Office P.O. Box 808, L-779 Livermore, CA 94551-0808 Attention: IL-13645 Please provide your written statement within thirty (30) days from the date this announcement is published to ensure consideration of your interest in LLNL's novel method of combining two or more same wavelength narrow bandwidth linearly polarized laser beams.