How Will the Next-Generation Laser-Based Defense Systems Fit on a Penny?

The terrorist attacks have made the whole world see the real threat of international terrorism in a different light. Researchers from many countries have concentrated their efforts on the development of methods and special equipment with which it will be possible to detect explosive objects in advance. Such devices include various sensor and detection systems playing a leading role.

The next-generation laser-based defense systems are now being designed for this need and include new infrared systems to counteract heat-seeking missiles that are currently a big threat for military aircraft and highly sensitive chemical detectors for reliable early detection of trace explosives and other toxins at a safe distance for personnel.

For future combat, the US Army wants to possess practical systems, that can be easily carried by soldiers, aircraft or unmanned vehicle and for this they must be lightweight, compact and power efficient. Another important requirement is the ability of these systems to be widely deployable and available to all soldiers, airplanes and public facilities, which requires a low production and operating cost.

Several types of lasers exist today that can emit at the desired infrared wavelengths, but none of these lasers meet the above requirements because they are either too expensive, not mass-producible, too fragile or require power-hungry and inefficient cryogenic refrigeration.

The new weapon in the military arsenal is the Quantum Cascade Laser (QCL), which is not only compact and suitable for mass production, but is breaking all the records in power and energy efficiency.

Developed by The Center for Quantum Devices (CQD) at Northwestern University, this laser promises to be the next best thing in military defense, while easily fitting on a penny, emitting at wavelengths of 4.5 microns, capable of producing over 700 milli-Watts of continuous output power at room temperature and more than one Watt of output power at lower temperatures.