A Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser Based Cryogenic Optical Link Technology

Optical link technology used for cryogenic focal plan array (FPA) readout not only is immune to electromagnetic interference, but also can reduce the heat load of the Dewar. Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes the use of a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL), in conjunction with fiber optics, as the key element of the optical link for cryogenic FPA readout. The VCSEL-based optical link would provide the best system performance (as compared with other optical link technologies) including power dissipation, thermal stability, optical coupling efficiency and insertion loss, optical signal contrast ration, component reliability and optical packaging stability. Together with the optoelectronic system-engineering experience provided by POC, we firmly believe that the proposed VCSEL-based cryogenic optical link is the right choice for success. In Phase I, a number of VCSEL-based optical link designs will be analyzed an devaluated. Their trade-off study will also be presented. A laboratory experiment will be carried out to demonstrate feasibility and potential. Finally a Phase II demonstration prototype plan will be developed in Phase I.