Enabling Tech for Mid-IR Free-Space Optical Communications: FY23 Advanced Devices Line-Supported Program
Abstract
Over a three-year development effort, we have demonstrated a novel laser architecture for high-speed amplitude modulation of quantum cascade laser (QCL) sources, building a master oscillator power amplifier (MOPA) testbed based on long-wave infrared (LWIR) devices near 9 m that were grown, fabricated, coated, and packaged in house. Through systems studies and atmospheric measurements, we concluded that there were significant advantages to operating at slightly shorter wavelengths, and developed the basic components needed to apply this architecture in the MWIR. This development included growing and fabricating laser epitaxy emitting between 4.0 and 5.0 m, and developing facet coating recipes to enable device operation as either laser oscillators or amplifiers. In this final report, we also demonstrate functional buried-heterostructure QCL devices in the MWIR, emitting near 4.5 m. In parallel, we have also performed a field test of an eye-safe, amplitude-modulated, commercial QCL device at 4.0 m, demonstrating up to 125 Mbps FSOC over a 1.6 km (1.0 mile) outdoor link.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 28, 2024
- Accession Number
- AD1229335
Entities
People
- Brett Reynolds
- Franklin N. Jose
- Gary M. Smith
- Jeffrey G. Cederberg
- John D. Moores
- John R. Norstrom
- Kevin J. Creedon
- L. Ladas
- Leo J. Missaggia
- Michael K. Connors
- Shankararaman Ramakrishnan
- Thomas V. Williams
- W. Gerych
- Wonseok Shin
Organizations
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology