Magazine Article

Reliable Optical Pump Architecture for Highly Coherent Lasers Used in Space Metrology Applications

TBMG-13696

05/01/2012

Abstract
Content

The design and initial demonstration of a laser pump module (LPM) incorporating single-mode, grating-stabilized 808- nm diode lasers and a low-loss, high-port-count optical combiner are completed. The purpose of the developed LPM is to reliably pump an Nd:YAG crystal in the laser head (LH), which serves as the optical metrology source for SIM-Lite mission. Using the narrow-linewidth, single-mode laser diodes enables placement of the pump power near Nd adsorption peak, which enhances pumping efficiency. Grating stabilization allows for stable pump spectra as diode operating temperature and bias current change. The low-loss, high-port-count optical combiner enables efficient combining of tens of pumps. Overall, the module supports 5+ years of continuous operation at 2 W of pump power with reliability approaching 100 percent.

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Citation
"Reliable Optical Pump Architecture for Highly Coherent Lasers Used in Space Metrology Applications," Mobility Engineering, May 1, 2012.
Additional Details
Publisher
Published
May 1, 2012
Product Code
TBMG-13696
Content Type
Magazine Article
Language
English