Efficient, lightweight, broadbeam laser transmitter for space communications

Raymond P. Liccini; Douglas R. Tomren; John G. Endriz; Edmund L. Wolak

doi:10.1117/12.184653

16 August 1994 Efficient, lightweight, broadbeam laser transmitter for space communications

Raymond P. Liccini, Douglas R. Tomren, John G. Endriz, Edmund L. Wolak

Proceedings Volume 2123, Free-Space Laser Communication Technologies VI; (1994) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.184653
Event: OE/LASE '94, 1994, Los Angeles, CA, United States

Abstract

A compact, broad beam diode based laser transmitter has been developed for moderate range and data rate free space laser communications. The laser transmitter spatially combines high average power AlGaAs laser diodes in the near field and overlaps several beams into a uniform beam in the far field. Individual high brightness laser diodes are lensed with a cylindrical lens along the length of the emitting aperture and projected with a short focal length lens into a broad beam of several milliradian divergence in the far field. The engineering prototype laser transmitter consists of six precision aligned diode assemblies, two fold mirrors and a six lenslet macrooptic assembly all mounted on a beryllium baseplate. Data will be presented showing that the laser transmitter is highly efficient by reserving the inherent high brightness of the individual diodes in the optical design, by the development of a pulsed switcher electrical circuit based on recent lightweight dc power converter designs for spacecraft applications and the removal of excess diode heat via the beryllium baseplate.

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Raymond P. Liccini, Douglas R. Tomren, John G. Endriz, and Edmund L. Wolak "Efficient, lightweight, broadbeam laser transmitter for space communications", Proc. SPIE 2123, Free-Space Laser Communication Technologies VI, (16 August 1994); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.184653

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KEYWORDS

Diodes

Transmitters

Semiconductor lasers

Space operations

Mirrors

Beryllium

Modulation

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