Title :
Diffractive optics for advanced free space laser communication terminals
Author :
Czichy, R.H. ; Wittig, M.
Author_Institution :
European Space Agency ESA/ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands
Abstract :
The design of first generation free space laser communication systems is based upon laser diodes with output powers in the order of 100 mW. For system with high data rate transmission (in the order of 100 Mbit/sec) this leads to terminals with rather large transmit/receive telescope diameters and, consequently, to high terminal mass and dimensions. The recent developments in laser diode technology made it possible to strongly increase the available laser output power. The use of such high power laser diodes together with advanced optical technologies, like diffractive optics, is very attractive for the development of next generation optical communication terminals because it allows to reduce terminal mass and dimensions considerably. The application potential of diffractive optics for advanced optical terminal design is discussed. Elements of a miniaturized optical terminal are presented as examples
Keywords :
diffraction gratings; laser beam applications; optical communication equipment; optical links; 100 Mbit/s; advanced free space laser communication terminals; diffractive optics; dimensions; first generation free space laser communication systems; laser diodes; miniaturized optical terminal; terminal mass; transmit/receive telescope diameters;
Conference_Titel :
Holographic Systems, Components and Applications, 1993., Fourth International Conference on
Conference_Location :
Neuchatel
Print_ISBN :
0-85296-578-8