Alfalight, an aluminum-free laser diode manufacturer, has announced an investment and technology agreement with In-Q-Tel, the technology investment firm of the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
In-Q-Tel is known to support the development of high-efficient photonics-led technologies, critical to IQT’s customers.
Apart from laser diodes, Alfalight has also ventured into laser systems and laser subsystems. These high-power sources are ideal for aerospace, military and telecommunications applications. Last year, Alfalight had developed a range of 3.5 W, 808 nm laser devices for industrial laser applications.
A green laser system, the NLOD (non-lethal optical disruptor) developed by Alfalight, will be of great interest to In-Q-Tel. Capable of emitting green laser power of 330 mW, it can suppress and dazzle targets, which are about 700 m away. Further, at a distance of 2 km, it can be used as a warning signal. With a battery life of 120 minutes, the 532 nm disruptor can be operated in pulsed or CW modes.
The President and CEO of Alfalight, Mohan Warrior stressed the importance of the partnership with In-Q-Tel by stating that by providing advanced products, the company will serve the defense communities.
In 2010, In-Q-Tel had made similar investments with LensVector, Pelican Imaging, Advanced Photonix, SpectraFluidics and OpGen.