Master-oscillator power-amplifier (MOPA) laser systems, for future lasercom terminals to be flown in space are being developed and characterized. These lasers fall into groups for applications in deep space and near earth (including GEO) orbiting satellites. For deep space applications a diode pumped Q-switched Nd:YVO₄ oscillator and a multi-pass Nd:YAG amplifier laser with an average output power of 1.5 W and capable of supporting repetition rates of 100 KHz was studied. This lasers emits at 1064 nm and was tested with pulse position modulation at data rates of 400 Kbps. The laser pulse width (approximately 2 ns FWHM) and timing jitter (plus or minus 8 ns) are reported with relevant discussions pertaining to deep space performance. For near earth applications, a two stage diode pumped fiber amplifier system providing 1072 nm emission with 4 W of average power and capable of supporting data rates of 2.5 Gbps is briefly described. A second semiconductor flared amplifier system emitting at 980 nm has also been developed and is awaiting characterization.

Date Published: 26 April 1999
PDF: 9 pages
Proc. SPIE 3615, Free-Space Laser Communication Technologies XI, (26 April 1999); doi: 10.1117/12.346189

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 3615:
Free-Space Laser Communication Technologies XI
G. Stephen Mecherle, Editor(s)