Large Aperture Quantum Well Shutters for Fast Retroreflected Optical Data Links in Free Space

Abstract

This paper reports progress on the development of a fast modulating retroreflector for a free space optical data link. A previous publication reported sustaining video over a 17 meter link using a multiple quantum well shutter with a diameter of 0.5 cm at a rate on the order of 0.5 Mbps, limited by the demonstration electronics. This work describes improvements in the device performance, which is on the order of 4 Mbps to 6 Mbps with a Bit Error Rates of 10 to the -6th over a robust optical link. This device lends itself to an array configuration for long range applications and will clearly support T1 rates of 1.54 Mbps, and higher.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1999
Accession Number
ADA461753

Entities

People

  • D. Scott Katzer
  • G. Charmaine Gilbreath
  • John F. Kline
  • K. Ikossi-anatasiou
  • Mena Ferraro
  • Michael R. Corson
  • Rita Mahon
  • Timothy Meehan
  • Williams S. Rabinovich

Organizations

  • United States Naval Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Abstracts
  • Airborne
  • Avalanche Photodiodes
  • Data Links
  • Diameters
  • Diodes
  • Electronics
  • Frequency
  • Laser Diodes
  • Modulators
  • Optical Communications
  • Platforms
  • Power Electronics
  • Quantum Wells
  • Retroreflectors
  • Semiconductors
  • Standards

Readers

  • Computer Science/Computer Engineering/Data Science/Digital Signal Processing.
  • Optical Physics and Photonics.
  • Tactical Satellite Communications Systems Engineering.

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics
  • Quantum Computing
  • Quantum Science - Quantum Key Distribution
  • Space
  • Space - Space Objects