Laser manufacturer BluGlass (ASX:BLG) has received an A$120,000 order for its semi-custom Gallium Nitride (GaN) laser diode bar products from the College of Optics and Photonics (CREOL), University of Central Florida, marking a repeat order from the US-based research institution.
The order follows CREOL’s successful demonstration of performance improvements using BluGlass’ GaN laser bars in a Coherent Beam Combining (CBC) array. The university found that BluGlass’ laser bars provided superior coherence and phase locking in high-power blue laser arrays compared to commercially available alternatives.
CBC technology merges light from multiple broad-linewidth, multi-mode lasers into a high-power, single-mode, narrow-linewidth, coherent beam. This advancement allows for the production of high-quality blue laser beams with superior phase stability and narrow linewidths—capabilities essential for applications such as:
- underwater and aviation LiDAR systems for seafloor mapping and clear-air turbulence monitoring
- advanced space research and communications
- ultra-sensitive quantum sensors
BluGlass CEO Jim Haden stated that the repeat order validates the performance of BluGlass’ custom GaN laser technology, highlighting the company’s role in solving critical challenges in next-generation visible laser applications. He pointed to the potential of high-power coherent GaN lasers in defence and dual-use applications, including secure underwater communications, atmospheric LiDAR, and countermeasure systems that can disrupt enemy optics with high-intensity beams.
“This success positions BluGlass for future growth, and we will leverage our partnership with this leading university to pursue critical defence applications that require superior coherence, stability, and precision,” Haden said.
