Los Angeles-based Northrop Grumman Corp. will develop a method for bonding laser materials under a contract from the US Air Force Research Laboratory/Directed Energy Directorate. Under the arrangement, Synoptics, a unit of the company's space technology sector based in Charlotte, N.C., will develop a process that will enable the fusion-bonding of different types of laser materials, which is expected to result in improved efficiency, performance and thermal management. The contract will enable Synoptics to grow, fabricate, coat and bond laser crystal materials under one roof.