SBIR/STTR
Broadband Fiber Raman Power-Amplifier for Narrow Linewidth Tunable Seed Lasers Used in Spectroscopic Sensing, Phase I
Project Introduction
We propose an energy and space efficient high power continuous wave (cw) narrow linewidth broadband fiber Raman amplifier (FRA) with spectrally tunable multi-Watt-level average power output in the near and shortwave infrared (1080 – 2000 nm) that can be used in remote sensing systems on both atmospheric and terrestrial space-borne platforms. The all-fiber amplifier design concept for power amplification of a lower power commercially available tunable laser seed source (master oscillator) uses a single gain stage architecture based on germanosilicate (GeO2-SiO2) fibers specifically designed to suppress stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS), one of the main factors limiting the maximum output power from narrow linewidth cw fiber amplifiers. The amplifier will be pumped by a fiber Raman laser whose spectral output can be tuned by compressive fiber Bragg grating technology. For this proposal TIPD will demonstrate power levels beyond what has been previously demonstrated for this technique, necessary for pumping the SBS suppressed gain fiber amplifier stage to its maximum potential output power. By implementing techniques for suppressing SBS in highly doped germanosilicate fibers it is anticipated that the amplifier wall-plug efficiency will reach 10%. In addition, the single gain stage architecture is compatible with distortion-free amplification of a phase/amplitude modulated seed source, useful for sensors that rely on sophisticated signal processing for detection. During Phase I, we will validate the broadband FRA proof-of-concept through modeling and benchtop demonstrations of both the power amplifier and tunable pump laser stages. Furthermore, appropriate designs for both the tunable laser source and SBS suppressed germanosilicate gain fibers will be formulated and assessed in terms of performance that best meets the target technical specifications for the FRA for a potential Phase II effort.
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Anticipated Benefits
Potential NASA Commercial Applications: The broadband fiber Raman amplifier (FRA) proposed is applicable to future NASA missions where tunable high power cw lasers are needed at infrared wavelengths not currently available by other commercially available sources, in support of applications such as LIDAR, spectroscopy, and communications. Specifically, high power tunable laser sources are relevant to trace gas and atmospheric constituent measurements in future planetary exploration (e.g. Mars, New Frontiers missions to Saturn and Uranus) and earth-science (e.g. ASCENDS) missions as outlined in the NRC Decadal Survey Reports "Visions and Voyages for Planetary Science in the Decade 2013-2022" and "Earth Science and Applications from Space: National Imperatives for the Next Decade and Beyond" respectively. Such lasers can provide more power for increased measurement sensitivity and can easily be integrated into absorption LIDAR and tunable laser spectrometer instruments (e.g. Mars Curiosity rover) currently using bulkier free-space solid-state lasers. Not only are all-fiber lasers more robust, but they can reduce the overall instrument footprint in the ever-precious real estate of space science payloads, making room for additional instrumentation and adding value to the overall science mission. Broadband FRAs could also be useful in the relay of data at optical wavelengths which provide greater bandwidth than existing RF channels as deemed important in the NRC Planetary Science Decadal Report.
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Primary U.S. Work Locations and Key Partners
| Organizations Performing Work | Role | Type | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
Langley Research Center
(LaRC)
|
Lead Organization | NASA Center | Hampton, VA |
| TIPD, LLC | Supporting Organization | Industry | Tucson, AZ |
Primary U.S. Work Locations
-
Arizona
-
Virginia
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Organizational Responsibility
Responsible Mission Directorate:
- Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD)
Lead Center / Facility:
- Langley Research Center (LaRC)
Responsible Program:
- SBIR/STTR
Project Management
Program Director:
Program Manager:
Project Manager:
Principal Investigator:
- Valery Temyanko
Project Duration
Start: Jun 2014
End: Dec 2014
Technology Maturity (TRL)
| Start: | 2 |
| Current: | 2 |
| Estimated End: | 3 |
Applied Research
Development
Demo & Test
Technology Areas
Primary:
- TA 8 Science Instruments, Observatories, and Sensor Systems
- TA 8.1 Remote Sensing Instruments and Sensors
- TA 8.1.5 Lasers
Other / Cross-cutting:
- TA 8 Science Instruments, Observatories, and Sensor Systems
- TA 8.3 In-Situ Instruments and Sensors
- TA 8.3.1 Field and Particle Detectors