DON26BZ01-NV038 TITLE: High-power, Long Coherence Length Blue Laser
OUSW (R&E) CRITICAL TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Quantum and Battlefield Information Dominance (Q-BID)
COMPONENT TECHNOLOGY PRIORITY AREA(S): Integrated Sensing and Cyber;Microelectronics;Quantum Science
PROJECTED CMMC LEVEL REQUIREMENT: Level 2 (Self)
The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120-130, which controls the export and import of defense-related material and services, including export of sensitive technical data, or the Export Administration Regulation (EAR), 15 CFR Parts 730-774, which controls dual use items. Offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals (FNs), their country(ies) of origin, the type of visa or work permit possessed, and the statement of work (SOW) tasks intended for accomplishment by the FN(s) in accordance with the Announcement. Offerors are advised foreign nationals proposed to perform on this topic may be restricted due to the technical data under US Export Control Laws.
OBJECTIVE: Develop a blue wavelength, high-power laser with a long coherence length capable of high pulse repetition frequencies.
DESCRIPTION: In recent years, blue laser diode technology has enabled improved data storage, enhanced fluorescence imaging, metal processing, and other applications [Ref 1]. Lasers in this wavelength band also fall within the ‘optical window’ of water and will experience less attenuation than other wavelength bands [Ref 2]. The wavelength band will also experience less diffraction compared to other communication wavelengths [Ref 3]. This SBIR topic seeks to develop a blue laser capable of high pulse repetition rates and long coherence length light while maintaining a high optical power.
Target specifications for the desired product include:
• High optical power output: 10 W continuous wave
• Optical wavelength: 425 nm to 475 nm
• Long coherence length: > 10 m
• High pulse repetition frequency: > 100 MHz
• Laser will need to operate continuously and reliably for lifetime of 2000 days
PHASE I: Perform a design and materials study to assess the feasibility of the proposed technology or process to meet the target specifications listed above. A final report must include an assessment of:
• Preliminary design and simulation of laser technology
• The size, weight, and power (SWaP) implications of the proposed technology
• Pathway to meet the lifetime target specification including accelerated life testing
• The scalability of the approach for low quantity prototypes, low-rate production, and full rate production.
The Phase I Option, if exercised, will include the initial design specifications and capabilities description to build laser prototype in Phase II.
PHASE II: Build and demonstrate the laser technology and characterize its performance against the target goals of optical power, wavelength, coherence length, pulse repetition frequency, beam quality, and continuously and reliable laser lifetime.
Deliver five (5) representative lasers to the Navy at the conclusion of Phase II that can be further tested.
PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Based on the prototypes developed in Phase II, continue development to assist the Government in integrating the technology with relevant technologies.
Beyond Navy applications, the proposed laser technology will be relevant for a range of commercial and scientific applications including holography, spectroscopy, and medical sciences.
REFERENCES:
KEYWORDS: Diode laser; blue laser; fiber amplifier; pulsed laser; high power laser; coherence length
| 4/29/26 | Q. | 1. What is the minimum pulse duration allowed and what is the maximum pulse duration allowed ?
2. Is there a duty cycle specification for the laser pulse train ? |
| A. | All target specifications are included in the topic solicitation. The pulse duration should attempt to not exceed 5ns, but this will not be part of the evaluation criteria for target specifications.
All target specifications are included in the topic solicitation. Understanding the duty cycle could be valuable in meeting the laser reliability lifetime of 2000 days target specification. |
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| 04/27/2026 | Q. | 1. How is 10 m coherence length defined? 2. Is frequency doubling to reach the required spectral range acceptable? |
| A. | 1. The propagation distance in free space over which the laser light maintains a consistent phase relationship. 2. We do not comment during the pre-release or open period about proposed solutions to the topic solicitation. If you believe that your solution/concept will meet the target specifications, please propose that solution. |
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| 04/24/2026 | Q. | 1. Is this solicitation calling for a continuous-wave (CW) or pulsed laser system? The specifications requiring 10 W CW power conflicts with the 100 MHz repetition frequency spec.
2. An assessment of the size, weight, and power is required during Phase I. Are there target metrics for this device regarding SWaP? 3. An optical wavelength range is listed between 425 nm and 475 nm. Does any single frequency within this range suffice, or are you looking to tune the laser between these wavelengths? |
| A. | 1. The laser should be pulsed at a repetition rate greater than 100 MHz, with 10W average output power.
2. No, just to meet within the final report an assessment of size, weight, and power (SWaP) implications of the proposed technology. 3. Threshold of any single wavelength within the band of 425 to 475 nm and objective of the full band. |
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| 04/24/2026 | Q. | 1. The high-power output is required to be 10 W continuous wave in the first specification. But the fourth specification is high pulse repetition frequency i > 100 MHz. Does the laser output need to be continuous wave? Or is a pulsed laser with any high repetition rate > 100 MHz acceptable?
2. What are the environmental conditions for continuous operation of 2000 days? 3. Is the solicitated technology limited to blue diode? 4. Any requirement on the laser beam quality? |
| A. | 1. The laser should be pulsed at a repetition rate greater than 100 MHz, with 10W average output power.
2. Benign ambient conditions for this portion of the effort. 3. Optical wavelength target specification between 425 - 475 nanometers per the topic solicitation. 4. No identified target specification for the laser beam quality, but it must be capable of continuous operation at a satisfactory performance level in a dependable and repeatable manner while meet the rest of the target specifications. |
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| 04/23/2026 | Q. | 1. Are there any expectations in terms of SWaP?
2. Does 10 m coherence imply a narrow (~10 MHz) laser linewidth or is coherence length used in a different meaning in this case? |
| A. | 1. No, just to meet within the final report an assessment of size, weight, and power (SWaP) implications of the proposed technology.
2. Yes, the topic is interested in a long coherence length/narrow linewidth. |
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| 4/14/26 | Q. | 1. The high-power output is required to be 10 W continuous wave in the first specification. But the fourth specification is high pulse repetition frequency i > 100 MHz. Does the laser output need to be continuous wave? Or is a pulsed laser with any high repetition rate > 100 MHz acceptable?
2. What are the environmental conditions for continuous operation of 2000 days? 3. Is the solicitated technology limited to blue diode? 4. Any requirement on the laser beam quality? |
| A. | 1. The laser should be pulsed at a repetition rate greater than 100 MHz, with 10W average output power.
2. Benign ambient conditions for this portion of the effort. 3. Optical wavelength target specification between 425 – 475 nanometers per the topic solicitation. 4. No identified target specification for the laser beam quality, but it must be capable of continuous operation at a satisfactory performance level in a dependable and repeatable manner while meet the rest of the target specifications. |
** TOPIC NOTICE ** |
The Navy Topic above is an "unofficial" copy from the Navy Topics in the DoW FY-26 Release 1 SBIR BAA. Please see the official DoW Topic website at www.dodsbirsttr.mil/submissions/solicitation-documents/active-solicitations for any updates. The DoW issued its Navy FY-26 Release 1 SBIR Topics pre-release on April 13, 2026 which opens to receive proposals on May 6, 2026, and closes June 3, 2026 (12:00pm ET). Direct Contact with Topic Authors: During the pre-release period (April 13, through May 5, 2026) proposing firms have an opportunity to directly contact the Technical Point of Contact (TPOC) to ask technical questions about the specific BAA topic. The TPOC contact information is listed in each topic description. Once DoW begins accepting proposals on May 6, 2026 no further direct contact between proposers and topic authors is allowed unless the Topic Author is responding to a question submitted during the Pre-release period. DoD On-line Q&A System: After the pre-release period, until May 20, 2026, at 12:00 PM ET, proposers may submit written questions through the DoW On-line Topic Q&A at https://www.dodsbirsttr.mil/submissions/login/ by logging in and following instructions. In the Topic Q&A system, the questioner and respondent remain anonymous but all questions and answers are posted for general viewing. DoW Topics Search Tool: Visit the DoW Topic Search Tool at www.dodsbirsttr.mil/topics-app/ to find topics by keyword across all DoW Components participating in this BAA.
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