Dr. Mark A. Stephen Profile

Dr. Mark A. Stephen

Laser Engineer at NASA Goddard Space Flight Ctr

SPIE Involvement:

Conference Program Committee | Author

Publications (36)

Proceedings Article | 4 March 2019 Paper

Integrated photonics for NASA applications

Michael Krainak, Mark Stephen, Elisavet Troupaki, Sarah Tedder, Baraquiel Reyna, Jonathan Klamkin, Hongwei Zhao, Bowen Song, Joseph Fridlander, Minh Tran, John Bowers, Keren Bergman, Michal Lipson, Anthony Rizzo, Ipshita Datta, Nathan Abrams, Shayan Mookherjea, Seng-Tiong Ho, Qiang Bei, Yingyan Huang, Yongming Tu, Behzad Moslehi, James Harris, Andrey Matsko, Anatoliy Savchenkov, Guangyao Liu, Roberto Proietti, S. J. Yoo, Leif Johansson, Christophe Dorrer, Francisco Arteaga-Sierra, Jie Qiao, Songbin Gong, Tingyi Gu, Osgar John Ohanian, Xingjie Ni, Yimin Ding, Yao Duan, Hamed Dalir, Ray Chen, Volker Sorger, Tin Komljenovic

Proc. SPIE. 10899, Components and Packaging for Laser Systems V

KEYWORDS: Oscillators, Modulation, Waveguides, Graphene, Silicon, Modulators, Integrated optics, Photonic integrated circuits, Silicon photonics, Integrated photonics

Read Abstract +

NASA is working with US industry and academia to develop Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs) for: (1) Sensors (2) Analog RF applications (3) Computing and free space communications. The PICs provide reduced size, weight, and power that is critical for space-based systems. We describe recent breakthrough 3D monolithic integration of photonic structures, particularly high-speed graphene-silicon devices on CMOS electronics to create CMOS-compatible highbandwidth transceivers for ultra-low power Terabit-scale optical communications. An integrated graphene electro-optic modulator has been demonstrated with a bandwidth of 30 GHz. Graphene microring modulators are especially attractive for dense wavelength division multiplexed (DWDM) systems. For space-based optical communication and ranging we have demonstrated generating a variable number of channels from a single laser using breadboard components, using a single-sideband carrier-suppressed (SSBCS) modulator driven by an externally-supplied RF tone (arbitrary RF frequency), a tunable optical bandpass filter, and an optical amplifier which are placed in a loop. We developed a Return--to-Zero (RZ) Differential Phase Shift Keying (DPSK) laser transmitter PIC using an InP technology platform that includes a tunable laser, a Semiconductor Optical Amplifier (SOA), high-speed Mach-Zehnder Modulator (MZM), and an electroabsorption (EAM) modulator. A Silicon Nitride (SiN) platform integrated photonic circuit suitable for a spectrally pure chip-scale tunable opto-electronic RF oscillator (OEO) that can operate as a flywheel in high precision optical clock modules, as well as radio astronomy, spectroscopy, and local oscillator in radar and communications systems is needed. We have demonstrated a low noise optical frequency combs generation from a small OEO prototypes containing very low loss (~1 dB) waveguide couplers of various shapes and sizes integrated with an ultrahigh-Q MgF2 resonators. An innovative miniaturized lab-on-a-chip device is being developed to directly monitor astronaut health during missions using ~3 drops of body fluid sample like blood, urine, and potentially other body fluids like saliva, sweat or tears. The first-generation system comprises a miniaturized biosensor based on PICs (including Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser – VCSEL, photodetector and optical filters and biochemical assay that generates a fluorescent optical signal change in response to the target analyte.

Proceedings Article | 24 October 2018 Paper

Lidar measurements of CO2 column concentrations in the Arctic region of North America from the ASCENDS 2017 airborne campaign

Graham Allan, James Abshire, Haris Riris, Jianping Mao, William Hasselbrack, Kenji Numata, Jeffrey Chen, Randy Kawa, Michael Rodriguez, Mark Stephen

Proc. SPIE. 10779, Lidar Remote Sensing for Environmental Monitoring XVI

KEYWORDS: Carbon dioxide, Backscatter, LIDAR, Aerosols, Clouds, Atmospheric particles, Atmospheric modeling, Absorption

Read Abstract +

Proceedings Article | 20 February 2018 Presentation + Paper

Fiber-based laser MOPA transmitter packaging for space environment

Mark Stephen, Anthony Yu, Jeffrey Chen, Kenji Numata, Stewart Wu, Brayler Gonzales, Lawrence Han, Molly Fahey, Michael Plants, Michael Rodriguez, Graham Allan, James Abshire, Jeffrey Nicholson, Anand Hariharan, William Mamakos, Brian Bean

Proc. SPIE. 10513, Components and Packaging for Laser Systems IV

KEYWORDS: Packaging, Transmitters, Fiber amplifiers, Optical amplifiers, LIDAR, Fiber lasers, Pulsed laser operation

Read Abstract +

Proceedings Article | 30 August 2017 Paper

New semiconductor laser technology for gas sensing applications in the 1650nm range

Gordon Morrison, Jes Sherman, Steven Estrella, Renan Moreira, Paul Leisher, Milan Mashanovitch, Mark Stephen, Kenji Numata, Stewart Wu, Haris Riris

Proc. SPIE. 10406, Lidar Remote Sensing for Environmental Monitoring 2017

KEYWORDS: Mid-IR, Tunable lasers, Methane, Carbon dioxide, LIDAR, Laser applications, Semiconductor lasers, Pollution

Read Abstract +

Proceedings Article | 13 May 2016 Paper

Three-year aging of prototype flight laser at 10 kHz and 1 ns pulses with external frequency doubler for ICESat-2 mission

Oleg Konoplev, Furqan Chiragh, Aleksey Vasilyev, Ryan Edwards, Mark Stephen, Elisavet Troupaki, Anthony Yu, Michael Krainak, Nick Sawruk, Floyd Hovis, Charles Culpepper, Kathy Strickler

Proc. SPIE. 9834, Laser Technology for Defense and Security XII

KEYWORDS: Second-harmonic generation, Contamination, Crystals, Reliability, Laser applications, Diagnostics, Control systems, Laser crystals, Laser crystals, Prototyping, Laser systems engineering

Read Abstract +

Proceedings Article | 11 March 2016 Paper

High energy, narrow linewidth 1572nm ErYb-fiber based MOPA for a multi-aperture CO2 trace-gas laser space transmitter

Doruk Engin, Brian Mathason, Mark Stephen, Anthony Yu, He Cao, Jean-Luc Fouron, Mark Storm

Proc. SPIE. 9728, Fiber Lasers XIII: Technology, Systems, and Applications

KEYWORDS: Transmitters, Fiber amplifiers, Optical amplifiers, Carbon dioxide, LIDAR, Carbon dioxide lasers, Amplifiers, Laser optics, Commercial off the shelf technology, Laminated object manufacturing

Read Abstract +

Proceedings Article | 1 September 2015 Paper

Fiber-based, trace-gas, laser transmitter technology development for space

Mark Stephen, Anthony Yu, Jeffrey Chen, Jeffrey Nicholson, Doruk Engin, Brian Mathason, Stewart Wu, Graham Allan, William Hasselbrack, Brayler Gonzales, Lawrence Han, Kenji Numata, Mark Storm, James Abshire

Proc. SPIE. 9612, Lidar Remote Sensing for Environmental Monitoring XV

KEYWORDS: Transmitters, Fiber amplifiers, Optical amplifiers, Carbon dioxide, Aerospace engineering, LIDAR, Laser applications, Laser development, Carbon dioxide lasers, Fiber lasers

Read Abstract +

Proceedings Article | 20 February 2015 Paper

Monolithic solid-state lasers for spaceflight

Michael Krainak, Anthony Yu, Mark Stephen, Scott Merritt, Leonid Glebov, Larissa Glebova, Aleksandr Ryasnyanskiy, Vadim Smirnov, Xiaodong Mu, Stephanie Meissner, Helmuth Meissner

Proc. SPIE. 9342, Solid State Lasers XXIV: Technology and Devices

KEYWORDS: Mirrors, Output couplers, Glasses, Reliability, Laser applications, Nd:YAG lasers, Solid state lasers, Fiber lasers, Laser resonators, Laser crystals

Read Abstract +

Proceedings Article | 14 November 2013 Paper

Examination of multi-shot laser induced damage on uncoated fused silica substrates at the surface and in the bulk material using P-polarized 1 ns 1.5 kHz laser pulses at 1064 nm

Furqan Chiragh, Oleg Konoplev, Alexey Vasilyev, Demetrios Poulios, Mark Stephen, Michael Krainak

Proc. SPIE. 8885, Laser-Induced Damage in Optical Materials: 2013

KEYWORDS: Refractive index, Silica, LIDAR, Satellites, Laser induced damage, Coating, Charge-coupled devices, Laser damage threshold, Pulsed laser operation, Laser systems engineering

Read Abstract +

Proceedings Article | 14 November 2013 Paper

Performance of multilayer optical coatings under long-term 532nm laser exposure

D. Poulios, O. Konoplev, F. Chiragh, A. Vasilyev, M. Stephen, K. Strickler

Proc. SPIE. 8885, Laser-Induced Damage in Optical Materials: 2013

KEYWORDS: Mirrors, Contamination, Crystals, Optical coatings, Reflectivity, Adaptive optics, Optical testing, Laser crystals, Laser optics, Pulsed laser operation

Read Abstract +

Proceedings Article | 17 September 2013 Paper

Approach to space-qualification of the ICESat-2 laser transmitter

Floyd Hovis, Nick Sawruk, Mark Stephen, Joel Edelman, Slava Litvinovitch, Ryan Edwards, Joe Rudd, Jim Bautch, Elias Fakhoury

Proc. SPIE. 8872, Lidar Remote Sensing for Environmental Monitoring XIV

KEYWORDS: Transmitters, Optical filters, Electronics, Oscillators, LIDAR, Aerosols, Laser applications, Laser development, Distortion, Clouds

Read Abstract +

Proceedings Article | 17 September 2013 Paper

Space certification and qualification programs for laser diode modules on the NASA ICESat-2 Mission

Nicholas Sawruk, Mark Stephen, Kevin Bruce, Thomas Eltringham, Franklin Nash, Alfonso Piccirilli, Walter Slusark, Floyd Hovis

Proc. SPIE. 8872, Lidar Remote Sensing for Environmental Monitoring XIV

KEYWORDS: Transmitters, Statistical analysis, Reliability, Laser applications, Semiconductor lasers, Fiber couplers, Failure analysis, Commercial off the shelf technology, Fiber coupled lasers

Read Abstract +

Proceedings Article | 6 March 2013 Paper

Space qualified laser transmitter for NASA's ICESat-2 mission

Nicholas Sawruk, Mark Stephen, Slava Litvinovitch, Joel Edelman, Michael Albert, Ryan Edwards, Charles Culpepper, William Rudd, Elias Fakhoury, Floyd Hovis

Proc. SPIE. 8599, Solid State Lasers XXII: Technology and Devices

KEYWORDS: Thermography, Transmitters, Tunable lasers, Optical amplifiers, Laser applications, Neodymium, Laser optics, Pulsed laser operation, Thermal modeling, Laser systems engineering

Read Abstract +

Proceedings Article | 7 May 2012 Paper

Laser transceivers for future NASA missions

Michael Krainak, James Abshire, Jordan Camp, Jeffrey Chen, Barry Coyle, Steven Li, Kenji Numata, Haris Riris, Mark Stephen, Paul Stysley, Guangning Yang, Anthony Yu

Proc. SPIE. 8381, Laser Technology for Defense and Security VIII

KEYWORDS: Transmitters, Avalanche photodetectors, Carbon dioxide, LIDAR, Sensors, Carbon dioxide lasers, Receivers, Semiconductor lasers, Pulsed laser operation, Absorption

Read Abstract +

Proceedings Article | 16 February 2012 Paper

Fiber lasers and amplifiers for space-based science and exploration

Anthony Yu, Michael Krainak, Mark Stephen, Jeffrey Chen, Barry Coyle, Kenji Numata, Jordan Camp, James Abshire, Graham Allan, Steven Li, Haris Riris

Proc. SPIE. 8237, Fiber Lasers IX: Technology, Systems, and Applications

KEYWORDS: Transmitters, Fiber amplifiers, Carbon dioxide, LIDAR, Carbon dioxide lasers, Fiber lasers, Oxygen, Semiconductor lasers, Pulsed laser operation, Absorption

Read Abstract +

Proceedings Article | 24 October 2011 Paper

High energy pulsed fiber laser transmitters in the C- and L-band for coherent lidar applications

Wei Shi, Nick Moor, Eliot Petersen, Dan Nguyen, Zhidong Yao, Mark Stephen, Arturo Chavez-Pirson, Nasser Peyghambarian

Proc. SPIE. 8286, International Symposium on Lidar and Radar Mapping 2011: Technologies and Applications

KEYWORDS: Fiber amplifiers, Second-harmonic generation, Phase modulation, LIDAR, Glasses, Remote sensing, Amplifiers, L band, Fiber lasers, Pulsed fiber lasers

Read Abstract +

Proceedings Article | 30 September 2011 Paper

Spaceflight laser development for future remote sensing applications

Anthony Yu, Michael Krainak, Mark Stephen, James Abshire, David Harding, Haris Riris, Steven Li, Jeffrey Chen, Graham Allan, Kenji Numata, Stewart Wu, Jordan Camp

Proc. SPIE. 8182, Lidar Technologies, Techniques, and Measurements for Atmospheric Remote Sensing VII

KEYWORDS: Transmitters, Carbon dioxide, LIDAR, Laser applications, Laser development, Carbon dioxide lasers, Space telescopes, Pulsed laser operation, Laser systems engineering, Absorption

Read Abstract +

Proceedings Article | 17 September 2011 Paper

Spaceborne laser development for future remote sensing applications

Mark Stephen, Anthony Yu, Michael Krainak, James Abshire, David Harding, Haris Riris, Steven Li, Jeffrey Chen, Kenji Numata, Stewart Wu, Jordan Camp

Proc. SPIE. 8154, Infrared Remote Sensing and Instrumentation XIX

KEYWORDS: Transmitters, Carbon dioxide, LIDAR, Sensors, Remote sensing, Laser applications, Carbon dioxide lasers, Space telescopes, Pulsed laser operation, Laser systems engineering

Read Abstract +

Proceedings Article | 14 September 2011 Paper

Airborne lidar measurements of atmospheric pressure made using the oxygen A-band

Haris Riris, Michael Rodriguez, Graham Allan, William Hasselbrack, Mark Stephen, James Abshire

Proc. SPIE. 8159, Lidar Remote Sensing for Environmental Monitoring XII

KEYWORDS: Carbon dioxide, LIDAR, Molecules, Receivers, Oxygen, Semiconductor lasers, Bragg cells, Atmospheric monitoring, Atmospheric modeling, Absorption

Read Abstract +

Proceedings Article | 28 August 2010 Paper

Spaceborne laser transmitters for remote sensing applications

Anthony Yu, Steven Li, Mark Stephen, Anthony Martino, Jeffrey Chen, Michael Krainak, Stewart Wu, Haris Riris, James Abshire, David Harding, Graham Allan, Kenji Numata

Proc. SPIE. 7808, Infrared Remote Sensing and Instrumentation XVIII

KEYWORDS: Transmitters, Carbon dioxide, LIDAR, Remote sensing, Laser applications, Carbon dioxide lasers, Semiconductor lasers, Laser resonators, Pulsed laser operation, Laser systems engineering

Read Abstract +

Proceedings Article | 4 May 2010 Paper

885-nm laser diode array pumped ceramic Nd:YAG master oscillator power amplifier system

Anthony Yu, Steven Li, Mark Stephen, Antonios Seas, Elisavet Troupaki, Aleksey Vasilyev, Heather Conley, Tim Filemyr, Cynthia Kirchner, Alberto Rosanova

Proc. SPIE. 7686, Laser Technology for Defense and Security VI

KEYWORDS: Crystals, Ceramics, Laser applications, Nd:YAG lasers, Semiconductor lasers, Diodes, Laser crystals, Neodymium, Molybdenum, Laser systems engineering

Read Abstract +

Proceedings Article | 4 March 2010 Paper

A highly reliable single mode laser for space application

Steven Li, Aleksey Vasilyev, Mark Stephen, Anthony Yu, Michael Krainak, George Shaw, Alberto Rosanova, Timothy Filemyr

Proc. SPIE. 7578, Solid State Lasers XIX: Technology and Devices

KEYWORDS: Fabry–Perot interferometers, Optical amplifiers, Oscillators, Output couplers, Laser applications, Laser development, Nd:YAG lasers, Diodes, Computer aided design, Pulsed laser operation

Read Abstract +

Proceedings Article | 18 February 2010 Paper

Monolithic high SBS threshold pulsed fiber laser and frequency doubling for LIDAR and remote sensing spectroscopy

Wei Shi, Eliot Petersen, Dan Nguyen, Zhidong Yao, Jie Zong, Mark Stephen, Arturo Chavez-Pirson, Nasser Peyghambarian

Proc. SPIE. 7582, Nonlinear Frequency Generation and Conversion: Materials, Devices, and Applications IX

KEYWORDS: Fiber amplifiers, Second-harmonic generation, LIDAR, Glasses, Spectroscopy, Remote sensing, Amplifiers, Fiber lasers, Laser damage threshold, Pulsed fiber lasers

Read Abstract +

Proceedings Article | 17 February 2010 Paper

Space laser transmitter development for ICESat-2 mission

Anthony Yu, Mark Stephen, Steven Li, George Shaw, Antonios Seas, Edward Dowdye, Elisavet Troupaki, Peter Liiva, Demetrios Poulios, Kathy Mascetti

Proc. SPIE. 7578, Solid State Lasers XIX: Technology and Devices

KEYWORDS: Transmitters, Fiber amplifiers, Optical amplifiers, Laser applications, Laser development, Semiconductor lasers, Diodes, Planar waveguides, Pulsed laser operation, Laser systems engineering

Read Abstract +

Proceedings Article | 28 February 2009 Paper

Qualification of laser diode arrays for space applications

Elisavet Troupaki, Aleksey Vasilyev, Mark Stephen, Antonios Seas, Nasir Kashem

Proc. SPIE. 7193, Solid State Lasers XVIII: Technology and Devices

KEYWORDS: Capacitors, Data modeling, Reliability, Nd:YAG lasers, Semiconductor lasers, Diodes, Space operations, Pulsed laser operation, Failure analysis, Laser systems engineering

Read Abstract +

Proceedings Article | 28 February 2009 Paper

Longevity validation of the LOLA laser design by extended vacuum testing of the LOLA engineering model laser

George Shaw, Mark Stephen, Elisavet Troupaki, Aleksey Vasilyev, Anthony Yu

Proc. SPIE. 7193, Solid State Lasers XVIII: Technology and Devices

KEYWORDS: Transmitters, Switches, Oscillators, Laser development, Semiconductor lasers, Diodes, Space operations, Beryllium, Laser optics, Pulsed laser operation

Read Abstract +

Proceedings Article | 13 February 2009 Paper

Overview of space qualified solid state lasers development at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

Anthony Yu, Steve Li, George Shaw, Antonios Seas, Mark Stephen, Elisavet Troupaki, Aleksey Vasilyev, Luis Ramos-Izquierdo, Alan Lukemier, William Mamakos, Anthony Melak, Jeff Guzek, Alberto Rosanova

Proc. SPIE. 7193, Solid State Lasers XVIII: Technology and Devices

KEYWORDS: Transmitters, Aerospace engineering, LIDAR, Laser development, Solid state lasers, Semiconductor lasers, Mars, Planets, Pulsed laser operation, Mercury (planet)

Read Abstract +

Proceedings Article | 17 October 2007 Paper

A laser sounder for measuring atmospheric trace gases from space

Haris Riris, James Abshire, Graham Allan, John Burris, Jeffrey Chen, Stephen Kawa, Jian-Ping Mao, Michael Krainak, Mark Stephen, Xiaoli Sun, Emily Wilson

Proc. SPIE. 6750, Lidar Technologies, Techniques, and Measurements for Atmospheric Remote Sensing III

KEYWORDS: Signal to noise ratio, Fabry–Perot interferometers, Sensors, Spectroscopy, Gases, Climate change, Gas lasers, Carbon monoxide, Atmospheric modeling, Absorption

Read Abstract +

Proceedings Article | 20 February 2007 Paper

Design considerations of the LOLA laser transmitter

Anthony Yu, Anne Marie Novo-Gradac, George Shaw, Steve Li, Mark Stephen, Danny Krebs, Glenn Unger, Jeremy Karsh, William Mamakos, Jeff Guzek, Alan Lukemire

Proc. SPIE. 6451, Solid State Lasers XVI: Technology and Devices

KEYWORDS: Transmitters, Electronics, Oscillators, Resonators, Q switching, Interfaces, Laser development, Semiconductor lasers, Laser resonators, Pulsed laser operation

Read Abstract +

Proceedings Article | 29 August 2006 Paper

The reliability of the laser diode arrays

Aleksey Vasilyev, Elisavet Troupaki, Graham Allan, Nasir Kashem, Mark Stephen

Proc. SPIE. 6308, Photonics for Space Environments XI

KEYWORDS: Satellites, Manufacturing, Reliability, Inspection, Laser welding, Amplifiers, Semiconductor lasers, Diodes, Heatsinks, Space operations

Read Abstract +

Proceedings Article | 13 September 2005 Paper

Characterization of high-power quasi-cw laser diode arrays

Mark Stephen, Aleksey Vasilyev, Elisavet Troupaki, Graham Allan, Nasir Kashem

Proc. SPIE. 5887, Lidar Remote Sensing for Environmental Monitoring VI

KEYWORDS: Aerospace engineering, Satellites, High power lasers, Reliability, Inspection, Semiconductor lasers, Diodes, Failure analysis, Temperature metrology, Near field optics

Read Abstract +

Proceedings Article | 26 October 2004 Paper

Tunable solid-etalon filter for use in lidar receivers

Yakov Sidorin, David Lunt, Michael Krainak, Mark Stephen

Proc. SPIE. 5542, Earth Observing Systems IX

KEYWORDS: Optical filters, Fabry–Perot interferometers, LIDAR, Glasses, Reflectivity, Receivers, Solids, Tunable filters, Surface finishing, Temperature metrology

Read Abstract +

Proceedings Article | 20 April 1998 Paper

Quasi-cw laser diode bar life tests

M. Stephen, Michael Krainak, Joseph Dallas

Proc. SPIE. 3244, Laser-Induced Damage in Optical Materials: 1997

KEYWORDS: LIDAR, Satellites, Solid state lasers, Semiconductor lasers, Diodes, Space operations

Read Abstract +

Proceedings Article | 20 April 1998 Paper

Multibillion shot high-influence exposure of Cr4+:YAG passive Q-switch

M. Stephen, Joseph Dallas, Robert Afzal

Proc. SPIE. 3244, Laser-Induced Damage in Optical Materials: 1997

KEYWORDS: Q switching, Laser development, Chromium, Semiconductor lasers, Diodes, YAG lasers, Q switched lasers, Earth sciences, Space operations, Laser systems engineering

Read Abstract +

Proceedings Article | 27 May 1996 Paper

Survivability demonstration and characterization of a multibillion-shot Q-switched Nd:YAG laser

Joseph Dallas, M. Stephen, Robert Afzal

Proc. SPIE. 2714, 27th Annual Boulder Damage Symposium: Laser-Induced Damage in Optical Materials: 1995

KEYWORDS: Optical components, Oscillators, Crystals, Laser development, Nd:YAG lasers, Semiconductor lasers, Diodes, Laser damage threshold, Q switched lasers, Optical damage

Read Abstract +

Proceedings Article | 14 July 1995 Paper

Accelerated GLAS exposure station

Joseph Dallas, Robert Afzal, Mark Selker, M. Stephen

Proc. SPIE. 2428, Laser-Induced Damage in Optical Materials: 1994

KEYWORDS: Transmitters, Optical components, Q switching, Laser development, Nd:YAG lasers, Optical coatings, Semiconductor lasers, Laser damage threshold, Q switched lasers, Optical damage

Read Abstract +