The German Roadmap to a Medium Energy Laser Weapon

Abstract

First, the state-of-the-art of German COIL-technology will be reviewed with special emphasis on novel resonator design and BHP long term storage for tactical application. The transition from the laboratory to the proving ground will be described highlighting the critical issues related to the pressure recovery system. Second, the current experimental effort devoted to newer albeit less mature laser technologies will be given. This includes solid state thin disk laser and fiber laser coupling techniques. Power scaling schemes and first experimental results will be presented and evaluated with respect to their future perspective.