Integrated Miniature DBR Laser Module for Lidar Instruments

We propose to demonstrate a compact integrated laser module structure that addresses the requirements of the laser source in a water vapor differential absorption Lidar (DIAL) system. Our approach, with the development of the high performance DBR laser diode and the engineering of miniature integration technology, will provide narrow line-width and high power laser modules for numerous Lidar applications with the advantages of reduced size, weight and power (SWaP). Under this Phase I SBIR program we would demonstrate the operation of the compact integration laser modules, both on an optical bench and in a miniature housing, with output line-width and power at desired levels. In the Phase II program, Photodigm will continue to build the laser modules into compact, hermetic packages to achieve high reliability and manufacturability. The laser modules will be further integrated with monolith or discrete master oscillator (MO) power amplifier (PA) designs suitable for the next-generation Lidar instruments.