Free-space and underwater GHz data transmission using AlGaInN laser diode technology

Najda, S.P. et al. (2016) Free-space and underwater GHz data transmission using AlGaInN laser diode technology. Proceedings of the SPIE: The International Society for Optical Engineering, 9833, 983309. (doi: 10.1117/12.2208330)

Abstract

Laser diodes fabricated from the AlGaInN material system is an emerging technology for defence and security applications; in particular for free space laser communication. Conventional underwater communication is done acoustically with very slow data rates, short reach, and vulnurable for interception. AlGaInN blue-green laser diode technology allows the possibility of both airbourne links and underwater telecom that operate at very fast data rates (GHz), long reach (100’s of metres underwater) and can also be quantum encrypted. The latest developments in AlGaInN laser diode technology are reviewed for defence and security applications. The AlGaInN material system allows for laser diodes to be fabricated over a very wide range of wavelengths from u.v., ~380nm, to the visible ~530nm, by tuning the indium content of the laser GaInN quantum well. Ridge waveguide laser diode structures are fabricated to achieve single mode operation with optical powers of <100mW. Visible light communications at high frequency (up to 2.5 Gbit/s) using a directly modulated 422nm Galliumnitride (GaN) blue laser diode is reported in free-space and underwater

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: This research has been supported by the European Union with grant E!9776 and the National Centre for Research and Development within the project E!9776/NCBiR/2015.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Watson, Dr Scott and Kelly, Professor Anthony
• Authors: Najda, S.P., Perlin, P., Suski, T., Marona, L., Boćkowski, M., Leszczyński, M., Wisniewski, P., Czernecki, R., Kucharski, R., Targowski, G., Watson, S., and Kelly, A.E.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Electronics and Nanoscale Engineering
• Journal Name: Proceedings of the SPIE: The International Society for Optical Engineering
• Publisher: SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
• ISSN: 0277-786X
• ISSN (Online): 1996-756X
• Published Online: 13 May 2016
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2016 SPIE
• First Published: First published in Proceedings of the SPIE: The International Society for Optical Engineering 9833:983309
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher