NASA chooses radiation-hardened 1,532-nanometer pump laser diode modules from nLight for spacecraft uses
HAMPTON, Va. – U.S. space researchers needed radiation-hardened laser diode modules in attempts to increase the electrical to optical efficiency of optical fiber for spacecraft applications. They found their solution from nLight Inc. in Vancouver, Wash.
Officials of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Langley Research Center in Hampton, Va., announced plans Monday to award a contract to nLight to deliver five fiber couple packaged pump laser diode modules for evaluation at NASA Langley by mid-2021.
NASA will award the contract to nLight sole-source because the company is the only responsible source for this job. The value of the upcoming contract has yet to be negotiated.
nLight currently provides 1,532-nanometer pump laser diode modules for the Erbium YAG pulsed solid state laser that NASA is adapting from an existing high-fidelity airborne prototype for orbiting spacecraft.
NASA researchers are trying to increase the electrical to optical efficiency of existing wavelength-stabilized 1532-nanometer fiber coupled pump laser diode modules from 22 percent to 40 percent while maintaining more than 35 Watts of optical output from a 220-micron-diameter fiber with a 0.22 numerical aperture.
Wavelength-stabilized 1532-nanometer fiber coupled pump laser diode modules couple generated laser light into an optical fiber. Enhancing module efficiency can deliver more laser signal to places in the system that need laser signals.
From nLight, NASA needs pump laser pump diodes housed with mass of 700 grams, not including the optical fiber, and volume of 300 cubic centimeters.
NASA wants nLight to deliver two fiber couple packaged pump laser diode modules for evaluation to NASA Langley within 12 months of contract award, and another three modules within 18 months of award. Modules must be compatible with future space flight operations in the radiation environments of low-Earth orbit.
Although NASA plans to acquire these modules fro nLight, any company that makes modules that could meet these requirements may offer them by email no later than 13 April 2020 to NASA's Michelle Crawford at [email protected].
Responses should include the company's relevant technical background and experience, and should refer to 1532-nanometer pump laser diode modules in the subject line.
More information is online at https://beta.sam.gov/opp/1f04978c94424f2c8a9f23ab7c006b5b/view.
John Keller | Editor-in-Chief
John Keller is the Editor-in-Chief, Military & Aerospace Electronics Magazine--provides extensive coverage and analysis of enabling electronics and optoelectronic technologies in military, space and commercial aviation applications. John has been a member of the Military & Aerospace Electronics staff since 1989 and chief editor since 1995.
