A. Bawamia^a, C. Kürbis^a, R. Smol^a, A. Wicht^a,b

Published in:

Proc.SPIE 11180, International Conference on Space Optics (ICSO 2018), Chania, Greece, Oct.9-12, 111805C (2019).

Abstract:

The Ferdinand-Braun-Institute has been developing high-power, narrow-linewidth semiconductor lasers for precision spectroscopy applications in harsh environments for more than ten years. Starting with hybrid-integrated diode laser chips and micro-optics on a ceramic platform for Bose-Einstein condensation experiments in a drop tower, the institute is now developing, qualifying and, in many cases, already delivering fully-packaged, multi-functional modules for application on platforms including sounding rockets, the International Space Station (ISS) and nano-satellites. We present the latest generation of electro-optical modules, which is designed to accommodate any two semiconductor chips. This includes, amongst others, the ECDL-MOPA, where the laser architecture consists of an ECDL and a semiconductor optical amplifier, both hybrid-integrated into a sealed package within a footprint of a conventional smartphone (but with a height of approx. 23 mm). The single-mode, polarization-maintaining optical fiber output delivers, for instance, 570 mW of power and a free-running FWHM linewidth of approximately 30 kHz (within a timescale of 1 ms) at the operating wavelength of 1064.49 nm. One such module has already been successfully launched on a sounding rocket mission in May 2018.

Keywords:

Semiconductor lasers, ECDL, packaging, sounding rocket.

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