High-Power Superluminescent Diodes for High-Precision Interferometric Inertial Sensors

Successful development of high-power 1550-nm SLD involves semiconductor quantum-mechanical heterostructure designs, waveguide designs, waveguide processing, and end-facet engineering. We propose to use an innovative material set to provide design flexibility to meet these requirements. We also propose a unique quantum well heterostructure to provide sufficient power and spectral symmetry. The optoelectronic device simulation capability and waveguide processing techniques developed in this program can be expanded to accommodate expanded monolithic optoelectronic component functionality such as absorbers and isolators in later Phases. We will also develop assembly and component integration, for the TE cooler, lens coupled fiber optic polarization maintaining pigtails, integrated isolators, are also critical for applying the SLD in a navigation sensor.