Laser Illuminator Lasers

What are Laser Illuminator Lasers?

Laser illuminator technology has emerged as a significant tool in the defense and military sector. Its application ranges from laser dazzling to night vision to anti-sensor applications and more. Laser illumination provides enhanced precision and accuracy, offering military personnel with a highly effective means of engaging targets. The advancements in laser illumination technology continue to shape modern warfare, improving overall effectiveness, situational awareness, and mission success rates.

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Laser Illuminator Applications

Night Vision Illumination: Laser illumination can enhance night vision capabilities for military personnel. Laser diodes emitting infrared light are used as illuminators in night vision goggles, scopes, and other night vision devices, providing additional illumination for improved visibility in low-light or nighttime conditions. Typical laser specifications include IR, laser diodes and low SWaP pulsed lasers.

Laser Dazzling: Laser dazzlers are non-lethal devices that use laser illumination to temporarily disorient or distract potential threats. For human targets, CW green lasers can temporarily blind or disorient them, affecting their ability to perceive their surroundings or effectively aim their weapons. In the case of sensors or optical devices, pulsed infrared lasers can saturate or overload their detectors, rendering them temporarily ineffective.

Anti-Sensor Applications: In defense scenarios, laser illumination can be used to disrupt or disable optical sensors, such as cameras or imaging systems. By directing a high-power laser (typically high-power, pulsed, IR lasers) towards the sensor, the intense light can overwhelm the sensor’s sensitivity or cause temporary or permanent damage, impairing the enemy’s surveillance or targeting capabilities.

Recommended Laser Series

We recommend the following laser series options for Laser Illuminator applications. There can often be a ton of options and many variables. Contact us today for help finding the perfect laser for your specific application!

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FL-P Series

The FL-P series of pulsed fiber lasers is manufactured to Telcordia standards and is suitable for various applications with average powers up to 5W at 1um and 1.5um, peak powers up to 25kW, and pulse widths in the range of 400ps to 50ns. Available in both OEM and Turnkey formats, this series offers a variety of standard and custom configurations. Available options include pulse monitoring, int/ext triggering, TTL or LVDS input signals, extended operating temperature range, and a robust design.

Matchbox Series

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

The Aero Series is a high-energy, nanosecond pulsed DPSS laser, available at 266, 355, 532, and 1064nm, with up to 10W output power at 1064 (up to 200 mJ with water-cooling). This series provides unparalleled precision and accuracy in even the most challenging environments, ideal for LIBS, spectroscopy, and atmospheric LIDAR applications. All models come enclosed in an air-cooled, extremely compact and ruggedized, thermo-mechanically stable, low SWaP single unit platform, with options for air- or water-cooling, a range of add-ons, and even complete customization to fit your exact needs. Upon request, customized models undergo severe vibration and qualification tests for operation in space.

JOLD-Open Heatsinks Series

The JOLD-Open Heatsinks Series offers industry-leading, reliable, and cost-effective high-power free-space single-laser-bar packages based on passively or actively cooled heat sinks in the 760-1070 nm range. Our proprietary heat sink and assembly technology, paired with our focus on advanced optical pumping and direct-diode-laser technology, results in diode lasers with unmatched performance including optical output power, electro-optical (EO) efficiency, and lifetime. This series offers options from 792 nm up to 1035 nm, and average output powers up to 300 W CW with passive cooling.

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

The PowerMir series is a line of high-power, pulsed Quantum Cascade Lasers based on proprietary technology, available in wavelengths from 4-9 µm and either turnkey benchtop systems, OEM driver + laser module, HHL package, or chip. Our lasers operate in Quasi-Continuous Wave (QCW) mode, enhancing wall-plug efficiency and thermal dissipation. The PowerMir series is ITAR-free, featuring high-powered diodes that emit in the primary atmospheric transmission bands. Our lasers produce a circular TEM00 Gaussian beam for superior performance.

REP Series

The REP series includes high-performance, tunable, single-frequency (DFB-like) diode lasers and Fabry-Perot laser diodes in wavelengths from 760nm 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.

SMX Series

The SMX Series of US-made, high-power, thermally stable, and cost-effective InP laser diodes is available at 13XX, 14XX, 15XX, 16XX, and 19XX nm, perfect for medical, military, aerospace, LIDAR, free-space communications, and more! With a patented EPI structure, low-cost packaging, DFB & SOA configurations, 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.