Watt-class high-brightness 1650nm tapered semiconductor optical amplifier for remote sensing

Remote sensing of atmospheric greenhouse gases can provide critical data for climate researchers. The 1650 nm wavelength band is commonly used in gas detection, particularly for detection of methane (CH₄), but common fiber amplifiers on the market today provide no gain in the U-band. Direct diode based LIDAR transmitters in this wavelength band are an attractive alternative to fiber amplifiers, with the potential to be more efficient, compact, and cost effective. Freedom Photonics has recently expanded their InP tapered <i>aura&trade;</i> product offering to include 15xx and 16xx nm wattclass high-brightness semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOA). Self-seeded amplifiers at 16xx nm can produce 5 W of output power with ~20% peak EO efficiency. Using Freedom Photonics’ widely tunable laser operating in the U-band to seed a 16xx nm SOA, watt-class performance has been demonstrated across the U-band wavelength spectrum. SOAs seeded with narrow linewidth light preserve and amplify optical power with no linewidth broadening. Pulsed SOA measurements show a 20 dB extinction ratio with rise/ fall times &lt; 100 ns, demonstrating suitability for pulsed LIDAR modulation schemes. Tapered laser devices have sustained &gt;1.5 years of ongoing accelerated stress testing with negligible degradation, indicating good reliability for space-based applications.