Semiconductor Lasers For Space Beacons And Communications

H Kung; D P Worland; H Nguyen; W Streifer; D R Scifres; D F Welch; L. Wood; S Daudt

doi:10.1117/12.951272

11 July 1989 Semiconductor Lasers For Space Beacons And Communications

H Kung, D P Worland, H Nguyen, W Streifer, D R Scifres, D F Welch, L. Wood, S Daudt

Proceedings Volume 1044, Optomechanical Design of Laser Transmitters and Receivers; (1989) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.951272
Event: OE/LASE '89, 1989, Los Angeles, CA, United States

Abstract

Semiconductor lasers have been packaged and qualified for various applications in space. In this paper we discuss two subsystems, both of which will be launched shortly. The first subsystem employs a partially coherent semiconductor laser array coupled to an optical fiber, and monitored by a photo-diode. This package is used in a highly reliable, moderate data rate, moderate length communications link. The fiber coupled output power is 28 mW and the package has been fully space qualified. That is, it is free of organics, hermetically sealed, and has been subjected to die shear, acceleration, thermal cycling, and other tests. The laser longevity exceeds 10 years of continuous operation. The second subsystem consists of 27 fiber coupled space qualified packaged lasers of the same type as above, but designed to operate at 200 mW power output from the fiber. Twenty-seven fibers are bundled to produce a source with a total power emission in excess of 5 watts cw. The subsystem is part of a beacon, which will be used very shortly in a polar satellite experiment. The lasers employed in the two subsystems described above are only partially coherent and therefore are insufficiently bright to operate in a long distance, high data rate link, except with a prohibitively large lens.

Citation Download Citation

H Kung, D P Worland, H Nguyen, W Streifer, D R Scifres, D F Welch, L. Wood, and S Daudt "Semiconductor Lasers For Space Beacons And Communications", Proc. SPIE 1044, Optomechanical Design of Laser Transmitters and Receivers, (11 July 1989); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.951272

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