Quintessence Photonics wins contract to develop high-precision optical sensing lasers

20 Jul 2006

Optical sensing is critically important in defense, security and industrial markets. Hot on the heels of last month's US Army deal, Quintessence has won another contract based on its novel internal grating technology.

Quintessence Photonics, Sylmar, CA, US, a subsidiary of QPC Lasers, has won a contract to develop high-precision direct-diode optical sensing lasers, based on its high power semiconductor lasers with internal gratings. The client and value of the deal were not revealed.

Optical sensing is important in the defense, homeland security, and industrial markets where the measurement of distance, temperature, and/or pressure is required for a broad range of applications. These include range finding on the battlefield, opto-acoustic sensors in submarine towed arrays, monitoring and security of oil/gas pipelines and power lines, and high-precision thickness/position monitoring in the semiconductor and pharmaceuticals industry.

Potential benefits of this technology in defense systems include increased precision, increased range, and real-time threat identification. The potential benefits in industrial systems include increased precision, uptime, and yields and increased reservoir output in the oil and gas market.

To be suitable for high-precision metrology, lasers must emit light with an extremely narrow and accurate wavelength spectrum. For high-power applications, this is typically achieved using multi-stage gas, solid state, or fiber lasers. QPC's internal grating technology addresses this market by providing a more lightweight, compact and cost-effective micro-chip laser solution.

"In addition to uniquely addressing the $100 million laser pumping market with our internal grating laser products, we are thrilled with the recent contract and the introduction of our technology as a direct diode high precision optical sensing laser for the enormous metrology market in defense, homeland security, and industry," said Paul Rudy, VP marketing and sales at Quintessence.

• In mid-June, Quintessence Photonics won a US Government contract to develop high power mid-infrared Lasers. The Phase III award was a follow-on to previous development activity funded by the US Army.