SBIR Phase I: Ultra-Fast Electro-Optically Tuned Laser

该小型企业创新研究第一阶段项目将开发一种紧凑，坚固，快速和广泛可调谐，低噪声，窄带激光器，用于微波光子处理应用。这项工作的关键创新是使用成形铁电体结合衍射光栅来生产电光控制的波长调谐元件。当与半导体或稀土掺杂的增益介质组合时，单片电光调谐元件将产生超紧凑的窄带激光源，其将能够在100 GHz以上以可编程的啁啾分布进行极快的、无模式希望的调谐。光纤耦合半导体光放大器的使用将确保在衍射受限光束中至少100 mW的输出功率，并且充当用于光纤激光放大器的进一步可能放大的最佳种子源。第一阶段的研究目标包括设计，制造和演示的原型EO可调谐激光器的成功操作。这一努力将导致微波光子学领域的先进调谐能力。随着对高速通信的需求的增加，人们对开发能够通过光纤传输微波和/或毫米波的技术的兴趣越来越大。低噪声可调谐激光器在这一领域将被证明特别有用。该技术还将用于改进激光雷达传感器，可以在导弹和机载平台上执行捕获，跟踪和识别。其他潜在的应用包括天线遥控、阵列天线的波束形成网络、无线通信的馈电网络、微波信号的光子处理、有线电视信号分配、传感器系统和仪器仪表。在第一阶段，该团队将继续努力，通过为大学本科生和高中教师提供的现场研究计划，在研究和教育方面产生更广泛的影响。

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project will develop a compact, rugged, rapidly and widely tunable, low noise, narrowband laser for use in microwave photonic processing applications. The key innovation in this effort is the use of a shaped ferroelectric in conjunction with a diffraction grating to produce an electro-optically controlled wavelength tuning element. The monolithic electro-optic tuning element, when combined with a semiconductor or rare-earthed doped gain media will result in an ultra-compact narrowband laser source that will be capable of extremely fast, mode hope free tuning over 100 GHz with a programmable chirping profile. Use of fiber coupled semiconductor optical amplifiers will ensure output power of at least 100 mW in a diffraction limited beam, and act as an optimal seed source for further possible amplification by a fiber laser amplifier. The research objectives of the Phase I effort include designing, fabricating, and demonstrating the successful operation of a prototype EO tunable laser. This effort will lead to advanced tuning capabilities in the field of microwave photonics. With the increasing demand for high-speed communications, there has been growing interest in developing techniques that can transmit microwave and/or millimeter waves over optical fiber. Low-noise tunable lasers would prove especially useful in this field. The technology will also be useful for improved Ladar sensors that can perform acquisition, tracking, and discrimination on missile and airborne platforms. Other potential applications include antenna remoting, beam forming networks for array antennas, feed networks for wireless communications, photonic processing of microwave signals, cable television signal distribution, sensor systems, and instrumentation. During the Phase I, the team will continue its effort in creating a broader impact in research and education through its onsite research program for university undergraduates and high school teachers.