Development of advanced seed laser modules for lidar and spectroscopy applications

Narasimha S. Prasad; Alex Rosiewicz; Steve M. Coleman

doi:10.1117/12.2018195

4 June 2013 Development of advanced seed laser modules for lidar and spectroscopy applications

Narasimha S. Prasad, Alex Rosiewicz, Steve M. Coleman

Proceedings Volume 8733, Laser Technology for Defense and Security IX; 873306 (2013) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2018195
Event: SPIE Defense, Security, and Sensing, 2013, Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Abstract

We report on recent progress made in the development of highly compact, single mode, distributed feedback laser (DFB) seed laser modules with integrated drive electronics for lidar and spectroscopy applications from space based platforms. One of the intended application of this technology is in the NASA’s Active Sensing of CO₂ Emissions over Nights, Days, and Seasons (ASCENDS) mission. NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) is working on a prototype laser based spectroscopy system for simultaneous measurement of CO₂ and O₂ for planned Active Sensing of CO₂ Emissions over Nights, Days, and Seasons (ASCENDS) mission application. For this purpose, 1571 nm spectral band for CO₂ sensing and 1262 nm spectral band for oxygen sensing have been selected. In this paper, we discuss recent progress made in the development of single mode, compact and stable, seed laser technologies for CO₂ and O₂ transmitters with focus on linewidth and noise measurements. The 1571 nm and 1262 nm DFB laser modules with integrated drive electronics have advanced current and temperature drivers built into them. A combination of temperature and current tuning allows coarse and fine adjustment of the diode wavelengths. The current tuning was demonstrated at a rate of ~0.7 pm/mV over a working range of ~1 V for a total of 0.7 nm. Also, temperature tuning at a rate of ~2 pm/mV over a working range of ~1 V for a total wavelength range of ~2 nm was demonstrated. The current tuning was performed at a rate of up to 200 kHz allowing rapid adjustment and dithering of the laser frequency. Furthermore, the best performance of laser linewidth observed was ~11 kHz with frequency stability <10 MHz over 1 hour period. The microcooler arrangement embedded inside these modules has provided significant reduction in power consumption. The electronics has been designed, prototyped and tested using space-qualified components within a hermetically sealed package of volume less than 2" x 2" x 0.5".

Citation Download Citation

Narasimha S. Prasad, Alex Rosiewicz, and Steve M. Coleman "Development of advanced seed laser modules for lidar and spectroscopy applications", Proc. SPIE 8733, Laser Technology for Defense and Security IX, 873306 (4 June 2013); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2018195

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available