MERMAIDS: Multichannel ERbium-yeterbiuM AmplIfied high power combiner Devices for Space communications

该方案解决了空间通信中的一个关键问题——点对多点空间通信的大功率光波分复用问题。目标是最终为一个1kW的天基单元组合25个通道，每个通道40W的光。为了建立一个适合在空间操作的解决方案，将探索几种方法。其中包括基于Mach-Zehnder的多路复用器，基于光纤内耦合器的Bragg光栅多路复用器和多光纤耦合器合成器。为了充分了解需要解决的问题，将研究一个3D打印缩放圆柱形电介质模型，该模型与在太赫兹频率下工作的打印布拉格光栅一起工作。该评估结果将用于制作写入耦合器光栅的FS。将重点关注空间应用所需的插入损耗、效率和占地面积。

This proposal addresses a solution to a critical problem for space communication- that of high-power optical wavelength division multiplexing for point to multipoint space communications. The target is to ultimately combine 25 channels at 40W optical per channel for a 1kW space-based unit. In order to establish a solution suitable for operation in space, several approaches will be explored. These include a Mach-Zehnder based multiplexer, an in-fibre coupler based Bragg grating multiplexer, and a multifibre coupler combiner. To fully understand the issues that need to be resolved, a 3D printed scaled up cylindrical dielectric model operating with printed Bragg gratings operating at THz frequencies will be studied. The results of this evaluation will be used to fabricate FS written in coupler gratings. Attention will be focused on insertion loss, efficiency and footprint, as required for space applications.