Narrow Wavelength, Frequency Modulated Source at 1.5¿ Wavelength

NASA needs narrow linewidth lasers in the 1.5 or 2 micron wavelength regime for Lidar applications. The laser should be tunable by several nm and frequency modulated by 5GHz. Princeton Optronics has developed ultra-stable narrow linewidth diode pumped solid state lasers and developed high power Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL) devices for fiber laser pumps as well as VCSEL pumped CW fiber lasers. In this SBIR, we propose to develop a fiber amplifier with a narrow line width seed laser for narrow wavelength output and the seed laser would be tunable and frequency modulated to a speed of 5GHz. By the end of the SBIR program we plan to deliver 10W level CW power fiber amplifiers with 10kHz linewidth in a small package. The package with the device would be space qualified and commercialized after development.

A narrow line width fiber amplifier source will have a significant market for LIDAR, RF Photonics and sensor applications. The users will be military, NASA, homeland security, cable television distribution and oil exploration industry. The total market for narrow line width ultrastable lasers is currently at tens of millions of dollars. Princeton Optronics will commercialize the product very soon after development.

High stability, narrow linewidth lasers has applications for LIDARs by NASA. The fiber amplifiers can be used for many other NASA applications including ranging, wavefront analysis, wind speed measurement, surface topography, atmospheric composition analysis and communications. They can be used for remote sensing for entry descent and landing of spacecrafts.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 6) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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