Abstract

For coherent free-space optical communication, frequency stable lasers are required. In order to achieve a bit-error rate of 10^-9 and a data rate of 1Gbit/sec a linewidth of the laser less than 100kHz is necessary. In order to realize such a communication system, the concept of a monolithic integrated twisted-mode-cavity (MITMC) laser was developed and tested by Wallmeroth.^[1] By placing in optical contact the components of a twisted-mode-cavity laser, the advantages of the discrete laser resonator structure and the inherent frequency stability of monolithic lasers have been combined. The free running MITMC laser exhibits a linewidth of Δν-10kHz/10msec and a frequency drift of only 10 to 500kHz/sec.

© 1992 IQEC