A Low Noise Tunable Wavelength Laser for Fiber Optic Sensor Systems

Current fiber optic towed systems under development for Naval platforms require many low noise on-board lasers built to specific frequencies ranging from approximately 1520nm to 1560nm. A low noise tunable wavelength laser, which could be tuned over the wavelength range would significantly reduce system sparing and maintainability requirements. Princeton Optronics has developed very high performance tunable lasers and is selling them for high performance applications. Princeton Optronics also has developed lowest noise fixed wavelength lasers under the DARPA Phor-Front program with unprecedented low noise of –160dB/Hz @1MHz. Current version of Princeton tunable and low noise laser has very similar external cavity hybrid design, and can easily be combined into a single design for the lowest noise tunable laser which will meet Navy’s low noise tunable laser requirement. This combination of the two designs will be achieved in the SBIR to build an ultra-low noise tunable laser meeting Navy’s needs.