The European H2020-SPACE-ORIONAS project targets the development of optical transceiver and amplifier integrated circuits and modules applicable to high-speed and compact laser communication terminals. This paper presents the most recent project achievements in two areas. Firstly, the fabrication of high-speed electronic-photonic modulator and receiver circuits monolithically integrated in the silicon photonics platform and their assembly in bread-board level photonic modules. Secondly, the assembly, integration and testing of a radiation resistant, high-gain optical fiber preamplifier which exploits hi-rel small form factor fiber optics to shrink the module mass and footprint.
H2020-SPACE-ORIONAS is a 3-year Research and Innovation Action program funded by the European Commission focusing on the development of compact optical transceiver and amplifier modules applicable to new generation optical inter-satellite links. ORIONAS explores photonic integrated circuits and small form factor fiber optics leveraging their success in datacenter interconnect and hi-rel aerospace applications to deliver miniaturized modules and devices that can shrink considerably the SWaP of lasercom terminals. This paper presents the most recent project achievements.
The Sentinel-5/UVNS instrument is a spectrometer developed within the Copernicus program for monitoring trace gas concentrations and aerosols in Earth’s atmosphere with unprecedented accuracy and resolution. The performance of the satellite spectrometers in orbit relies upon accurate characterisation and radiometric calibration of the optical ground support equipment (OGSE). M Squared Lasers has developed a series of advanced tuneable, fully-automated, remotely controlled, narrow-linewidth laser systems, providing rapid scanning across the extensive wavelength operating range from 260-2700 nm, with a number of unique features that ensure stringent source requirements are met throughout the mission lifetime. To the best of our knowledge, these laser systems are the first of their kind, demonstrating a significant leap in laser technology with regards to remote controlled automated operation, gapless wavelength coverage from UV to SWIR, functionality and performance. This paper will detail each of the S5 laser sources, describe the engineering achievements in their development.
This paper reports on the development of a sun simulator (SUSI) as an optical ground support equipment (OGSE) for the calibration and characterization (CC) of the Sentinel-5 spectrometers. The illumination system is based on a Xenon continuous light source, a homogenizer and a telescope. A Xenon plasma source is significantly non-uniform, both spectrally and spatially. To meet the stringent spatial homogeneity requirements, a large homogenizer based on a kaleidoscope configuration was designed and manufactured. The proper collimation and large exit pupil are achieved through a mirror-based Offner telescope, avoiding large incidence angles, which would affect spatial uniformity and polarization. SUSI covers a very wide spectral range, from 270 to 2300nm, with an irradiance of 80 mW/cm2. SUSI provides an illuminated exit pupil with a very high spatial uniformity. The collimated beam of 0.27º divergence illuminates an exit pupil 160mm diameter with continuous light, reaching a non-uniformity of irradiance better than 1% for most spectrum (according to IEC 60904-9 definition) which is, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, the highest level of spatial uniformity for large aperture sun simulators. A breadboard was manufactured to test and validate the performance of the homogenizer coupled with the Xenon light. Due to the large diameter of the exit pupil, a set of tests were specifically developed to evaluate the performance across the entire aperture and spectral range. Using a fiber-tip based spectrometer, the exit pupil was scanned to measure the irradiance profile. Results from the breadboard showed a performance better than 1% spatial uniformity at 0.27º divergent beam, for the spectral range 270nm to 800nm. The ray tracing model was compared and validated with the experimental data. Simulation results showed an equivalent performance for SWIR1 and SWIR3 spectral bands. The Critical Design Review (CDR) was successfully achieved, and SUSI is currently being assembled. This work will present the development of the instrument, details on the tests developed to evaluate its performance, and the experimental results of the upcoming test campaign.
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