SDL Inc. proposes to develop a semiconductor laser source capable of 10 Gb/s modulation and 1W diffraction limited output power foruse in space communications. Advantages of semiconductor devices over other laser sources are higher efficiency, smaller size and weight,and reliability. SDL proposes to extend the technology of its 1W diffraction limited semiconductor sources to allow digital modulation upto 10 Gb/s rates of the output beam. The proposed scheme will allow modulation with very low drive voltage requirements, eliminating theneed for costly and power hungry drive electronics.
Potential Commercial Applications:The proposed source will enable high data rate space-based optical communications by virtue of its high output power, beam quality,compact size, efficiency and reliability. Other commercial and government applications that will directly benefit from the proposed sourceinclude: imaging and high resolution printing, data storage, fiber optic communication, displays, medical applications, remote sensing andmilitary applications.
