1.5-micron MOPA deep space downlink transmitter

Donald L. Sipes Jr.; Jason D. Tafoya; Daniel S. Schulz; Benjamin G. Ward; Chad G. Carlson

doi:10.1117/12.909444

22 February 2012 1.5-micron MOPA deep space downlink transmitter

Donald L. Sipes Jr., Jason D. Tafoya, Daniel S. Schulz, Benjamin G. Ward, Chad G. Carlson

Proceedings Volume 8246, Free-Space Laser Communication Technologies XXIV; 82460J (2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.909444
Event: SPIE LASE, 2012, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

There is demand for improved deep-space satellite communications links with increased data rates to accommodate new sensor technologies and increased sensor payloads on spacecraft. It is imperative that new solutions be compact in size, light in weight, be high speed, and highly power efficient. Optical links offer potential improvements in power, size and weight due to a substantially narrower beam and smaller components. Solutions using fiber-laser transmitter master-oscillator power-amplifiers (MOPA) have been investigated previously, but methods for improving the system power efficiency are needed. In this paper we will present recent results for a 1.5um fiber MOPAs for deep-space communications. A high-power, broad linewidth 1550 nm seed laser is combined with 3 stages of amplification. Each of these stages is partially designed based on the availability of the various components An amplifier operating at 1532 nm in principle has the advantage of commercial off-the-shelf components with demonstrated reliability though the availability of high power broad area pump diodes at 1532nm with good efficiency is limited. The final power amplifier stage was constructed using both step index fiber (SIF) and photonic crystal fiber (PCF).

Citation Download Citation

Donald L. Sipes Jr., Jason D. Tafoya, Daniel S. Schulz, Benjamin G. Ward, and Chad G. Carlson "1.5-micron MOPA deep space downlink transmitter", Proc. SPIE 8246, Free-Space Laser Communication Technologies XXIV, 82460J (22 February 2012); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.909444

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