Ultra-High Speed Analog Lightwave Components For Ladar Scene Projection

Compact arrays of ultra-high-speed analog laser sources or lasers integrated with modulators are needed for LADAR sensors and scene generation. Multiplex, UCLA and UCSD propose a novel Monolithic Injection-Locked Analog Transmitter Array (MILATA) for wide frequency range (>2GHz) operation with greater than 60 dB optical extinction ratio. MILATA is a versatile technology platform that is built on our recent success in monolithic injection-locked lasers funded by DARPA RFLICS program. The monolithic injection locked laser we invented is the most compact and practical injection-locked semiconductor laser. It can be packaged in industry standard module with an output fiber pigtail. For LADAR scene generation, the injection locked laser will be monolithically integrated with electroabsorption modulators (EAM). A selective area growth method for InGaAsP based materials will be optimized for chip-scale transmitter array manufacturing. The output of Phase I of this program will be prototype MILATA chips packaged with discrete injection-locked lasers and EA modulators that are fully characterized to demonstrate the device design and performance. A novel quarter-wave shifted DFB laser with strong gratings will be fabricated for high device yield, which is necessary for array integration. Scalability for high-density array on the chip and packaging with electronics will also be investigated in Phase I for selecting the best approaches for an 8-channel transmitter array in Phase II, with the potential for 2-D integration up to a 256 by 256 element array. The proposed MILATA is a general-purpose, application-specific photonic IC technology that can be tailored to both DOD (LADAR scene generation, RF photonic links, phased array radars, millimeter wave generation) and commercial applications (CATV, high speed digital networks, WDM transmitter arrays for long-haul and metro/access systems). The technology fits Multiplex's continuing marketing roadmap, and the ability for different applications to share the same technology platform is the key to cost reduction.