Free space optical communication uses laser transmission through the air to communicate wirelessly between two locations. OFS manufactures a broad range of erbium and erbium-ytterbium-doped fibers as well as fiber laser modules that help ensure continuous high-quality transmission through adverse weather conditions.

Very Large Mode Area (VLMA) Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifier Module

The Very Large Mode Area (VLMA) Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifier Module was developed to meet the growing demand for high energy and high peak power pulses across various industrial and scientific applications. Building on the advanced OFS high power fiber laser technology, the VLMA Amplifier Module leverages OFS’s extensive expertise in rare-earth doped fiber design and fabrication. Known for its high-power components and modules, OFS ensures the VLMA module adheres to rigorous reliability standards required for diverse applications. This all-fiber design features a 50 μm core diameter with diffraction-limited output, available in both polarization-maintaining (PM) and non-PM versions.  The large core diameter ensures penalty free amplification of high bit-rate data-communications signals to average powers of 50 W and higher.  It also supports 1 ns pulse amplification up to 100 μJ with a peak power of 100 kW.  Typical applications include free space communications, LIDAR, micro-machining, and femtosecond chirped pulse amplification.

Raman Fiber Laser Module

The Raman Fiber Laser Module was developed to meet the growing demand for high power output across a wide wavelength range, essential for diverse industrial and scientific applications. This module advances OFS’s high power fiber laser technology, which is renowned for its multi-kilowatt single-mode fiber lasers used in industrial machining and welding. OFS, a leader in rare-earth doped fiber technology, combines extensive experience in fiber fabrication with a deep understanding of the reliability required for high-power components and modules. The 1480 nm Raman Fiber Laser Module is engineered as a pump-source for Er-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFAs) to enhance their performance by increasing output power and pulse energy. The single-mode 1480 nm output enables efficient in-band core pumping, shortening the active fiber length, improving nonlinear thresholds, and reducing quantum defect, thereby lowering thermal load and allowing significant power scaling. Available wavelengths range from 1150 to 1850 nm, with output power reaching up to 150 W at 1480 nm. This module is ideal for high brightness fiber laser pumping, solid-state laser applications, medical technologies, and test and measurement tasks.

Erbium-Ytterbium Optical Fiber

OFS Erbium-Ytterbium Optical Fiber is a cutting-edge solution specifically designed to enhance free space optical communications by providing high-performance optical connectivity. This advanced fiber boasts superior brightness and efficiency, crucial for maintaining signal integrity over long distances in free space optical (FSO) systems.  Efficient amplification makes it ideal for high-power applications such as ground-to-satellite links and inter-ground communications. With robust performance in challenging environments and compatibility with high-speed data demands, OFS Erbium-Ytterbium Optical Fiber facilitates reliable, high-bandwidth communication channels. This innovation supports the seamless integration of optical technology in modern communication networks, offering enhanced data throughput and resilience for next-generation connectivity solutions.

Learn More About OFS Fiber Laser Solutions for Free Space Communications

  • PDF Very Large Mode Area Erbium-Doped Fiber Amplifier Module – Data Sheet
  • PDF Raman Fiber Laser Module – Data Sheet
  • PDF Erbium-Ytterbium Optical Fibers – Brochure
  • PDF 10 Gbps Transmission from a High Power EDFA for Free Space Communications – White Paper
  • PDF Long Term, Stable, 115W Output from an Erbium Fiber Amplifier Pumped by a Raman Fiber Laser – White Paper
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