SBIR Phase I: Super Broadband Gain Medium for Next-Generation Optical Communications

该小型企业创新研究第一阶段项目旨在开发一种超宽带、1.27~1.61微米、放大自发发射（ASE）光源，用于光谱测试仪器。这一创新具有巨大的市场潜力。波分复用（WDM）光通信系统中使用的所有组件都需要进行光谱测量，特别是使用最新光纤的下一代WDM网络系统：零水峰光纤，它消除了1.4微米的吸水峰，并首次将低损耗传输窗口连续扩展到1.27~1.61微米。这一创新将为光纤激光器和二极管激光器等传统增益介质无法提供的超宽带增益介质需求提供解决方案。这一创新具有显著的智力价值。这个项目将采用一种颠覆性的技术。器件模块将由设计单模约束结构的特种晶体光纤组成，由二极管激光器直接泵浦。整体封装紧凑，其输出功率耦合到标准单模光纤，目标功率为100兆瓦。传统块状晶体光学与现代光纤之间的新过渡和联系将激发许多出版物和专利。该项目将加强美国在WDM领域的技术领先地位，并将对整个光通信行业产生乘数效应。此外，这一创新将为一系列超宽带放大产品建立技术平台，这些产品将成为使用超宽带零水峰光纤的下一代光通信的关键组件之一。

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project aims to develop a super broadband, 1.27~1.61 micron, Amplified Spontaneous Emission (ASE) light source for spectral test instrumentation. This innovation has significant market potential. Spectral measurement is necessary for all components used in the Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) optical communication systems, in particular, for next-generation WDM networking systems using the newest optical fiber: zero-water-peak fiber, which eliminated the water absorption peak at 1.4 micron and extended the low-loss transmission window to 1.27~1.61 micron continuously for the first time. This innovation would offer a solution for the need of a super broadband gain medium that traditional gain media such as fiber lasers and diode lasers cannot offer. This innovation has significant intellectual merit. A disruptive technology would be used in this project. The device module would be composed of a specialty crystal fiber with designed single-mode confinement structure, directly pumped by diode laser. The overall package would be compact with its output power coupled into a standard single-mode fiber at a target of 100 mW. The novel transition and linkage between conventional bulk-crystal optics and contemporary fiber optics would inspire many publications and patents. This project would strengthen the U. S. technology leadership in WDM and would have a multiplier effect to the overall optical-telecommunications industry. Moreover, this innovation would establish a technology platform for a series of super broadband amplification products, which would be among the key components enabling the next-generation optical communications using super broadband zero-water-peak fiber.