Realisations

1550-nm Frequency-Stabilized Laser for Space Applications

TeraXion developed for the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), in partnership with ABB Bomem, a 1550nm frequency-stabilized laser metrology reference for future deployment into a space-borne spectrometer. The project has seen the designed laser module reach Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 5.

The developed solution took advantage of TeraXion’s high performance laser frequency control technology which allows locking of a laser onto a molecular reference. Another challenge of this project was to ensure that, through careful design and manufacturing practices, the frequency-stabilized laser would withstand first phase space qualification testing. TeraXion’s laser module successfully went through all defined tests while meeting the stringent absolute frequency accuracy and stability requirements of the targeted application. Moreover, TeraXion’s frequency-stabilized laser employs a DFB semiconductor laser and as such inherits the advantages of this type of laser source: reliability, power efficiency and compactness.

Performance in excess of specifications were achieved which clearly demonstrated potential of the developed product to space applications. Future development with CSA would aim at bringing the product up to the flight level.