Shantanu Gupta

1 kW cw Yb-fiber-amplifier with <0.5GHz linewidth and near-diffraction limited beam-quality for coherent combining application

In this paper, we present results on a master-oscillator Yb-doped fiber amplifier with 1 kW cw output power (at 1064nm), and near-diffraction limited beam quality (M2<1.4), with internal quantum efficiency >83%. The final amplifier stage uses a very high Yb-doped 35-um core LMA fiber, using a new process recipe that virtually eliminates photo-darkening. As a result, high efficiency, SBS-free operation to 1 kW cw power level is obtained, with a phase modulation bandwidth of only 450MHz, well below other reported results. To enable single-frequency cw power scaling to kW levels, we investigate LMA fiber waveguide designs exploiting gain-discrimination, using partially Yb-doped LMA fiber cores, with various diameters up to 80-um. SBS-free, singlefrequency (few kHz) operation is demonstrated up to 0.9kW cw power. At the lower cw powers (<200W) neardiffraction limited beam-quality is obtained, but is observed to deteriorate at higher cw powers. We discuss potential causes, and present a detailed simulation model of kW large-core fiber-amplifiers, that includes all guided modes, fiber bend, transverse spatial hole burning, gain-tailoring, mode-scattering, SBS nonlinearity, and various thermal effects. This model shows good agreement with the observed single-frequency power scaling and beam-quality characteristics.

Highly reliable and efficient 1.5μm-fiber-MOPA-based, high-power laser transmitter for space communication

Fibertek has developed a space qualifiable, highly efficient, high power (<5W), fiber based 1.5um laser optical module (LOM). The transmitter achieves 6W average and <1kW peak power out of a 2m long single mode delivery fiber with 8nsec pulses and <6Ghz linewidth. Stimulated Brillouin Scattering (SBS) is managed by precise linewidth control and by use of LMA gain fiber in the power stage while maintaining the required diffraction limited, and highly polarized (PER<20dB) output. Size and weight of the built LOM are 8”x10”x2.375” and 3 kg, respectively. With improvements in the modulation scheme and component specification, achieved LOM electrical to optical efficiency is over 17.0%. Highly efficient operation is sustained for a wide range of pulse-position modulation (16 to 128-ary PPM) formats with pulse widths varying from 8nsec to 0.5nsec and operation temperature 10-50C. Pressure stress analysis, random vibration analysis and thermal analysis of the designed LOM predicts compliance with NASA GEVS levels for vibration and thermal cycling in a vacuum environment. System will undergo both thermal vacuum and vibration testing to validate the design.

Highly efficient and athermal 1550nm-fiber-MOPA-based high power down link laser transmitter for deep space communication

We demonstrate highly efficient, 1.5um-fiber-amplifier, optimized for athermal and reliable operation. High efficient operation is sustained for a wide range of pulse-position-modulation (16 to 128-ary PPM) formats with pulse widths varying from 8nsec to 0.5nsec. System achieves 6W average and ~1kW peak power with 8nsec pulses and 3Ghz linewidth. Stimulated Brillion scattering is managed by use of LMA fiber in final stage and precise linewidth control while maintaining the required diffraction limited, and (PER>20dB) polarized output. System maintains performance for ambient temperatures 10-50°C.

Fiber laser systems for space lasercom and remote sensing

Space based laser remote-sensing for Earth observation and planetary atmospheres has traditionally relied on the mature diode-pumped solid-state laser and nonlinear frequency conversion technology. We highlight representative examples, including ongoing space mission programs at Fibertek. Key design issues are highlighted, and the lessons learned from a multi-disciplinary design process addressing the space-qualification requirements. Fiber laser/amplifier system provides an agile optical platform for space based laser applications ‒ space lasercom, space-based Earth (or planetary) remote sensing, and space-based imaging. In particular we discuss ongoing efforts at Fibertek on a space-qualifiable, high-performance 1.5-μm Er-doped fiber laser transmitter for inter-planetary lasercom. Design and performance for space qualification is emphasized. As an example of an agile laser platform, use of above fiber laser/amplifier hardware platform for space based sensing of atmospheric CO2 is also highlighted.

High power modal instability measurements of very large mode area (VLMA) step index fibers

High power (<0.5kW) experiments using low NA (~0.07), very large mode area (VLMA) step index fibers (SI) (with core/clad diameters: 45/375, 60/500um) and gain tailored step index (GT-SI) fibers (with doped-core/core/clad diameters: 38/60/400, 50/80/533um) are presented. In fiber amplifier experiments with multi-moded beam (M2 1.5- 3) outputs, Stimulated Thermal Rayleigh scattering (STRS) threshold is determined by comparing gain dependence of output mode quality between high power (<200W) and low power (<100W) experiments for a given fiber layout. Beam quality degradation with signal power is characterized well above the instability threshold where a saturation of the phenomena is observed. For SI fibers degree of beam quality degradation is found to be significantly worse for tighter fiber coil diameters. GT-SI fibers exhibit significantly less modal degradation compared to SI fibers. STRS instability threshold is further verified with signal power dependent multi-path interference spectrum (MPI) measurements which exhibited exponential broadening above the threshold. Strength of STRS nonlinear coupling coefficients are estimated from experimental data using a comprehensive 3-dimensional transverse spatial hole burning (TSHB) fiber MOPA numerical model, phenomenologicaly extended to include STRS.

Development, testing, and initial space qualification of 1.5-μm, high-power (6 W), pulse-position-modulated fiber laser transmitter for deep-space laser communication

Abstract. We report on the development, testing, and initial space qualification of a 1.5-μm, high-power (6 W), high wall-plug efficiency (∼15%), pulse-position-modulated (PPM), polarization-maintaining, fiber laser transmitter subsystem for deep-space laser communication links. Programmable high-order PPM modulation up to PPM-128 formats, with discrete pulse slots ranging from 0.5 to 8 ns, satisfies variety of link requirements for deep-space laser communication to Mars, asteroids, and other deep-space relay links, as per the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s space laser communication roadmap. We also present initial space qualification results from thermal-vacuum tests, vibration testing, radiation testing, and an overall reliability assessment.

High-power, narrow linewidth 1.5-μm fiber amplifier lidar transmitter for atmospheric CO2 detection

This paper demonstrates a next-generation high-energy, eye-safe light detection and ranging (LIDAR) transmitter for the Active Sensing of CO2 Emissions over Nights, Days, and Seasons (ASCENDS) mission. The system design is based on an advanced eye-safe, polarization-maintaining (PM) master oscillator-power amplifier (MOPA) LIDAR transmitter platform currently under development at Fibertek. This platform consists of a narrow linewidth (400 Hz – 1MHz) and highly stable seed laser, a flexible and reconfigurable pulse generator, and multiple stages of PM Erbium (Er)-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFAs) with increasing mode-field area. Using this architecture, we have demonstrated more than 20W continuous wave (CW) at 1571nm, up to 475 μJ energy per pulse at 1572 nm, and up to 250 μJ energy per pulse at 1529 nm wavelength with 1.5 μs pulsewidth and 10 kHz repetition rate. The output beams at the highest energy levels are diffraction limited, and the polarization extinction ratio (PER) is ~17dB. The optical efficiency is about 36% at CW operation and the optical-to-optical conversion efficiency is ~17% with respect to total pump power when the laser is in pulse operation mode. We also demonstrate a comparable optical efficiency (30%) with CW operation using radiationharden Er-doped gain fiber.

MW+ peak power sub-nsec 10-kHz repetition rate polarization-maintaining fiber-amplifiers using tapered Yb-doped fibers

Novel tapered Yb-doped polarization-maintaining (PM) large-mode-area (LMA) fibers were fabricated, with 25/250μm and 40/400μm core/clad at each end, and used in the last stage of a multi-stage Yb-fiber MOPA. The fiber-MOPA is controlled by high-speed FPGA for real-time control of the seed laser diode modulation, electro-optic modulator and acousto-optic modulator. Stable 0.3nsec pulses at 10kHz rate with 0.3mJ pulse energy (1MW peak power) is demonstrated. At 1nsec pulsewidth, scaling to >0.5mJ pulse energy is demonstrated. Polarization extinction ratio of 17dB is obtained with diffraction limited beam quality and excellent (<3%) power stability. Such compact and robust pulsed fiber amplifiers enable next generation of airborne and space lidar transmitters.

Highly-efficient, high-energy pulse-burst Yb-doped fiber laser with transform limited linewidth

A 1um fiber laser outputting high energy (<1mJ) pulse-bursts with high peak powers (<15kW) and narrow linewidth (<300MHz) is an attractive pump source for tunable periodically poled crystal (PPx) based OPA’s which are used in gas sensing, imaging and communication applications. Here a turn-key 1064nm PM Yb-doped fiber amplifier capable of generating high pulse burst energies with transform limited linewidth is presented. The ~20W average power capable laser is optimized for high energy (0.5-2mJ) and high peak power (<10kW) operation at low duty cycles (<0.1%). The laser is capable of operating at <10x the saturation energy level of the final stage gain fiber and achieves a high level of pulse-to-pulse peak power uniformity within pulse-burst. Stimulated Brillion Scattering (SBS) limited micro pulse energy up to 40uJ is achieved and SBS dependence on micro pulse width and separation are characterized. High wall plug efficiency (<20%) for the FPGA controlled system is maintained by temporal and spectral ASE suppression and by spreading the necessary pulse pre-shaping losses (~12dB) to three different amplitude modulation points in the amplifier chain.

Development of tellurium oxide and lead-bismuth oxide glasses for mid-wave infra-red transmission optics

Heavy metal oxide glasses exhibiting high transmission in the Mid-Wave Infra-Red (MWIR) spectrum are often difficult to manufacture in large sizes with optimized physical and optical properties. In this work, we researched and developed improved tellurium-zinc-barium and lead-bismuth-gallium heavy metal oxide glasses for use in the manufacture of fiber optics, optical components and laser gain materials. Two glass families were investigated, one based upon tellurium and another based on lead-bismuth. Glass compositions were optimized for stability and high transmission in the MWIR. Targeted glass specifications included low hydroxyl concentration, extended MWIR transmission window, and high resistance against devitrification upon heating. Work included the processing of high purity raw materials, melting under controlled dry Redox balanced atmosphere, finning, casting and annealing. Batch melts as large as 4 kilograms were sprue cast into aluminum and stainless steel molds or temperature controlled bronze tube with mechanical bait. Small (100g) test melts were typically processed in-situ in a 5%Au°/95%Pt° crucible. Our group manufactured and evaluated over 100 different experimental heavy metal glass compositions during a two year period. A wide range of glass melting, fining, casting techniques and experimental protocols were employed. MWIR glass applications include remote sensing, directional infrared counter measures, detection of explosives and chemical warfare agents, laser detection tracking and ranging, range gated imaging and spectroscopy. Enhanced long range mid-infrared sensor performance is optimized when operating in the atmospheric windows from ~ 2.0 to 2.4μm, ~ 3.5 to 4.3μm and ~ 4.5 to 5.0μm.