Development of optical antennas utilizing free form surface optics for the high speed laser communication systems

摘要

Next generation laser communication systems will require small optical antennas and fine tracking system. Such optical communication systems might be applied not only to space communications such as optical feeder links, intersatellite links and stratospheric platforms but also optical links for long distance communication on the ground. We have developed a high-speed laser communication system including a small optical antenna which utilizes off-axis free form surface optical system, and a fine tracking system which feeds back an incident angle signal detected by quadrant detector to a small fine positioning mirror. In particular, the available mirror actuator response frequency for tracking is approximately 2kHz. Accordingly, even though the received 1.5μm laser beam experiences angle-of-arrival fluctuation as a result of atmospheric turbulence the antenna with this fine tracking function has a capability coupling the laser beam directly to the single mode fiber.