Compact Radio-Frequency-to-Optical Transmitter For Airborne Military Environments

We propose to develop a compact RF-optical transmitter that incorporates a next generation miniature LiNbO3 thin-film modulator with a significantly larger RF bandwidth and lower half-wave voltage, and a miniature ultra-narrowband Yb,Er:Glass laser. The laser will operate single-longitudinal-mode (SLM), and single transverse mode (STM), and will be coupled to a polarization maintaining (PM) single-mode (SM) fiber. A package volume of < 131 cm3 will be demonstrated, and includes the laser, the RF modulator, a PCB for modulator bias and laser control, and connectors for RF and power in, and a booted fiber output. The proposed work builds on a successful Phase I program during which a number of methods for package miniaturization were explored, and detailed electrical and mechanical designs were generated.