PITTSBURGH, Sept. 13 -- II-VI Inc. has received a $4.7 million 13-month contract from the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center. The contract requires that II-VI's VLOC subsidiary develops technology suitable for large diameter Nd:YAG laser gain crystal growth, and demonstrates reliable IR radiation in an efficient and rugged package. The contract provides for a two-year extension option depending upon the availability of federal funds. II-VI will focus on improvements in the quality of near IR thin-film coatings, design of optics for coupling diode laser output to the laser gain media, and demonstration of a compact, rugged, frequency agile, IR laser system. II-VI will team-up with the Center for Materials Research at Washington State University on the project.