Attachment 5 - Statement of Objecitves.pdf

UNCLASSIFIED

Multi-Spectral Laser Development Statement of Objectives (SOO)

1.0 Background

The laser community has developed and demonstrated promising technology using Supercontinuum Fiber Laser technology. A supercontinuum laser has a continuous optical spectrum which spans a wide range of wavelengths, typically a factor of five or more in wavelength between the lower and upper bounds of the generated spectrum. Such lasers are often termed to be “white light” if the spectrum covers visible wavelengths.

Supercontinuum generation is most frequently created using a broad range of concurrent nonlinear optical interactions between high peak power mode-locked laser pulses and a suitable optical material, very often in a fiber-optic form. Commercial off the shelf technology (COTS) supercontinuum lasers are presently available at the 10 to 20 W power level, but high Power, COTS supercontinuum lasers are not available from any mainstream U.S. suppliers. This effort is to advance those demonstrations, or to develop alternative technological approaches which can meet the technical specifications outlined in the Objective/Scope Section.

2.0 Description

AFRL /RYD develops and matures technology for sensor devices and components. In particular there is interest in developing novel laser materials and components that encompass a wide variety of technologies impacting warfighter needs. Our mission is to lead the discovery, development and transition of electro-optics and photonics supporting technologies that enable increase performance and affordability for Air Force sensing systems. The awards will be selected based on “Peer and Scientific Review”. Although the Objective/Scope requirements are well suited to a nonlinear Supercontinuum approach, alternative approaches using different physics and/or designs are welcomed and encouraged. A successful laboratory demonstration must meet the requirements of achieving a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4.

3.0 Objective/Scope

ARFL/RYD has interest in the development of a high power laser emitting broadly in the spectral range 350 nm – 1750 nm. Emission may be true broadband, or in discrete lines spectrally spaced at no more than 50 nm (+/- 10%). The objective power spectral density is 200 mW/nm (280 W total power), with a beam quality M2 value of less than 1.5. Individual tailorability of power and divergence by spectral subcomponent is beneficial, but not a requirement. The laser emission may be either true continuous wave (CW) or quasi-CW with repetition rates greater than 1 MHz.

Compliant proposals will describe approaches to significant technical performance improvements and or propose advances through alternative approaches and laser concepts.

AFRL/RYD is specifically seeking a broad bandwidth laser source according to the specifications provided, and this is the preferred technical direction. However, a tunable source may also be considered providing the FULL LASER POWER of 280 W (minimum) is available at any wavelength within the full tuning spectrum of the laser and the tuning range must correspond to the bandwidth 350 nm to 1750 nm. The linewidth of the tunable source is not specified, only the fully tuning range of the system. The tuning may be continuous, or in discrete steps not to exceed 50 nm (+/- 10%), such that all parts of the desired broad band spectrum may be accessed.

3.1 Tasks

TASK 1 Develop outline plans and complete preliminary system design assessment with projected performance parameters and system wall-plug efficiencies. Identify risk reduction strategies and refine an executable plan for full power demonstration. Physical demonstration of a laser system is not required, although the survivability and reliability of key components should be addressed with physical measurements of damage thresholds where appropriate.

TASK 2 Develop full system design and procure system components, as required. Refine projected system performance parameters and update system design to meet end goals. Demonstrate the required spectral power densities, emission spectrum, and beam quality. Demonstrate system start-up to full power within 10 seconds. A power stability of 1% or better during a 30 minute operation period, and better than 5% absolute over any operating duration should be demonstrated across the emission spectrum so that the total power fluctuation and the local spectral brightness do not exceed these values.

4.0 Deliverables

0001 Final Report 0002 Funds and Man-Hour Expenditure Report 0003 Contract Funds Status Report 0004 Status Report 0005 Presentation Material A006 Interim Report

5.0 Safety

The Contractor shall comply with all Air Force, federal, state, and local safety and environmental regulations. An approved safety plan in accordance with AFI 91-202 AFRL Supplement 1 shall be obtained before any experiment can be conducted at Wright-Patterson AFB and shall comply with all Air Force safety and environmental regulations. The contractor shall comply with system safety requirements contained in MIL-STD 882E, section 4, "General Requirements" for any deliverable systems or hardware and software interfaces with those components. The contractor shall test and verify the safety-critical hardware and software for safety acceptance.

6.0 Security

General Operations Security (OPSEC) procedures, policies and awareness are required in an effort to reduce program vulnerability from successful adversary collection and exploitation of critical information. OPSEC will be applied throughout the life cycle of the contract. The Critical Information List (CIL) and the RY OPSEC Plan will be provided upon request by AFRL/ RYOY Information Protection Office. While working on the government installation, OPSEC guidance and OPSEC training will be provided by AFRL/RYOY Information Protection Office.

This training will ensure contractors are familiar with RY’s CIL and RY’s OPSEC Plan as it pertains to their contract. The contractor shall apply OPSEC in their management of their current program IAW AFI 10-701 Operations Security and WPAFB Supplement to AFI-10-701.

7.0 Program Protection Plan (PPP)

All DoD contractors (including subcontractors) shall supplement their current security practices by requiring any personnel involved in executing this contract where critical program information (CPI) has been identified to protect the CPI to the standards articulated in the Program Protection Plan and in accordance with DoDI

5200.39. Upon contract award, all identified DoD contractors (including subcontractors) shall acknowledge and meet the requirements stated by the Program Manager for the protection of CPI. The DoD contractor must immediately notify the U.S. Government upon the discovery of any nonconformance with CPI protection.”

8.0. Attachments

Definition Of Technology Readiness Levels