The beam evolution and transverse mode instability in Very Large Mode Area Er:doped fiber amplifier-step2

This project was successful in achieving all the proposed objectives. We have gotten a solution to solve beam flaws of Very Large Mode Area (VLMA) Er:fiber amplifier: donut pattern Beacom Beam and angle drift Com beam. The solution will lead to the design of advanced optical terminals with bandwidth limited laser pulses and diffraction limited laser beam. Improving the beam quality and stability of optical terminals will result in the size, weight, power, and cost (SWaP-C) reduction. It is significant for future deep space optical communications, like Orion Artemis II Optical communications system (O2O).

The performance of the back-up VLMA Er:fiber amplifier developed for Laser Communication Relay Demonstration (LCRD) was carefully investigated. The measurements confirm our theoretical prediction: the wavelength related beam distortion. Before that, the root cause of beam distortion was attributed to nonlinearity. The new finding implies that the optical terminal can only be optimized in a certain wavelength range. It is challenged to design a common optical terminal for multiple wavelength ranges.

By the end of this effort, a special optical terminal at the LCRD wavelengths was designed and manufactured. Once received, we will compare the performance with old ones and add the results in our manuscript for publication. Our theory is useful to design future optical terminals for deep space optical communications.

The purpose of the Goddard Space Flight Center’s Internal Research and Development (IRAD) program is to support new technology development and to address scientific challenges.  Each year, Principal Investigators (PIs) submit IRAD proposals and compete for funding for their development projects.  Goddard’s IRAD program supports eight Lines of Business: Astrophysics; Communications and Navigation; Cross-Cutting Technology and Capabilities; Earth Science; Heliophysics; Planetary Science; Science Small Satellites Technology; and Suborbital Platforms and Range Services.

Task progress is evaluated twice a year at the Mid-term IRAD review and the end of the year. When the funding period has ended, the PIs compete again for IRAD funding or seek new sources of development and research funding, or agree to external partnerships and collaborations.  In some cases, when the development work has reached the appropriate Technology Readiness Level (TRL) level, the product is integrated into an actual NASA mission or used to support other government agencies. The technology may also be licensed out to the industry.

The completion of a project does not necessarily indicate that the development work has stopped.  The work could potentially continue in the future as a follow-on IRAD; or be used in collaboration or partnership with Academia, Industry, and other Government Agencies.

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