High-performance DFB laser module for space applications: the FP7 HiPPO achievements from chip fabrication to system validation

This article reports the development of 200-mW 1.55-μm DFB laser module with RIN below -162 dB/Hz which are well suited for microwave photonics or free space optical communication applications. Specific design has allowed reaching high power (>300 mW), low noise and high spectral purity laser chip. The chip has been packaged in Butterfly module optimized for reducing the module power consumption. DFB laser module system validations have been done on three laboratory test-beds representative of target applications, namely high-frequency optical LO distribution, photonic RF frequency conversion, and free space optical communication links.