High-power semiconductor lasers: applications and progress

The United States government and industry have a long standing interest in developing high power semiconductor lasers for a variety of applications. These include material processing, long range sensing, and long range communications. The wavelength depends on the application, and sometimes on eye safety considerations. Key development goals are high brightness and high efficiency. This paper will review some of the applications, key laser performance features desired, and some of the accomplishments in high power diode lasers from the High Power Semiconductor Laser Technology program.