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

这个小企业创新研究第一阶段项目将开发一种紧凑、坚固、快速、宽调谐、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将形状铁电体与衍射光栅结合使用，以产生电光控制的波长调谐元件。单片电光调谐元件，当与半导体或稀土掺杂增益介质相结合时，将产生一个超紧凑的窄带激光源，它将能够在100 GHz以上进行极快的无模式调谐，并具有可编程的啁啾配置文件。使用光纤耦合半导体光放大器将确保在衍射受限光束中输出功率至少为100 mW，并作为光纤激光放大器进一步放大的最佳种子源。第一阶段的研究目标包括设计、制造和演示一个原型EO可调谐激光器的成功运行。这一努力将导致微波光子学领域的高级调谐能力。随着对高速通信需求的增加，人们对开发能够在光纤上传输微波和/或毫米波的技术越来越感兴趣。低噪声可调谐激光器将被证明在这一领域特别有用。该技术也将用于改进雷达传感器，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远程、阵列天线波束形成网络、无线通信馈电网络、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，通过其针对大学本科生和高中教师的现场研究项目，在研究和教育领域产生更广泛的影响。

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.