Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Tech Transfer
Fiber MOPA for Ascends, Phase I
Project Introduction
CO2 sensing using absorption bands near 1570nm is very attractive by taking advantage of the mature fiber-amplifier technology derived from fiber-optic telecom heritage. This necessitates sufficient power scaling in 1.5 micrometer fiber-amplifiers, either in the pulsed-mode, or in the cw-mode for modulation spectroscopy.In this SBIR program we propose the design, optimization, experimental evaluation and prototype development of a high-power,high wall-plug efficiency, 1571.1 nm fiber-amplifier laser transmitter, compatible with multi-line cw intensity-modulated integrated-path differential absorption spectroscopy, with the size, weight and power (SWaP) optimized for airborne and eventual space-qualifiable roadmap for ASCENDS mission. We leverage innovations in high-power 1.5 micrometer fiber-optic technology and fiber-amplifier architecture, while using high-reliability 1.5 micrometer silica-fiber based passive/active components. Our expectation is that at the end of Phase 2, a TRL-6 level hardware can be developed and delivered for an airborne mission, and which is also compatible with a space-flight maturation roadmap.
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Anticipated Benefits
Airborne campaign for CO2 column sensing via integrated-path differential-absorption approach. Roadmap for an eventual space mission for highly accurate CO2 mapping over day/night conditions (ASCENDS). Planetary atmospheric sensing e.g. CO2 sensing on Mars. Pump source for an OPO/OPA based lidar transmitter architecture, to access strong mid-IR absorption bands of CO2, or other atmospheric species of interest, e.g. CH4 (via the 3.27 micrometer lines). Laser source to enable CO2, CH4 sensing in process control.
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Primary U.S. Work Locations and Key Partners
| Organizations Performing Work | Role | Type | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fibertek, Inc. | Lead Organization | Industry | Herndon, Virginia |
Langley Research Center
(LaRC)
|
Supporting Organization | NASA Center | Hampton, Virginia |
Primary U.S. Work Locations
-
Virginia
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Organizational Responsibility
Responsible Mission Directorate:
- Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD)
Lead Organization:
- Fibertek, Inc.
Responsible Program:
- Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Tech Transfer
Project Management
Project Duration
Start: May 2013
End: Nov 2013
Technology Maturity (TRL)
| Start: | 4 |
| Current: | 6 |
| Estimated End: | 6 |
Applied Research
Development
Demo & Test
Technology Areas
Primary:
- TX08 Sensors and Instruments
- TX08.1 Remote Sensing Instruments/Sensors
- TX08.1.5 Lasers
Target Destination
Earth
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