LIGHT AGE, INC., AWARDED PHASE II SBIR TO DEVELOP A SINGLE SOLID-STATE LASER THAT GENERATES BOTH VERY DEEP ULTRAVIOLET AND MID INFRARED WAVELENGTHS

       SOMERSET, NJ (May 8, 2000) -- Light Age, Inc., leaders in innovative solid-state alexandrite laser solutions, have been awarded a Phase II SBIR project to develop a single laser technology capable of generating both very deep-ultraviolet (down to 0.193 µm) and mid-infrared (3-5 µm) wavelengths. Potential important commercial applications will also be researched. "The new laser will be based on the alexandrite pumped, lithium fluoride color-center laser (alexandrite:LiF:CCL) technology which is continuously tunable from 0.2 to 10 µm, that was successfully demonstrated during Phase I of this project," explains Rick Frost, Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Light Age. "We will be evaluating the sum and difference-frequency mixing processes for efficient wavelength extension into these important spectral regions."

       Commercial applications for the new alexandrite laser include optical lithography (i.e. semiconductor inspection) and photorefractive keratometry (PRK). Additionally, The 3-12 µm wavelength has always been of interest to the government for a variety of military applications including optics qualification and infrared countermeasures.

       The work on the Phase II SBIR will involve a collaboration with Dr. Sergy Mirov of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and Dr. Gary Eden of the University of Illinois at Urbana. Dr. Mirov will be working directly with Light Age to develop prototype laser modules (0.193 µm and 3-5 µm) for the company's 101 PAL™ versatile laser system. Dr. Eden will be evaluating the deep ultraviolet laser as a potential source for injection seeding an ArF excimer laser.