FREEDOM PHOTONICS LLC — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: AF151-005

Description

ABSTRACT: In this work, freedom Photonics is proposing to develop a hybrid integration platform that integrate yielded, best-of-breed optical components on a low-loss Silicon platform to form high performance, phase stable integrated RF photonic systems. This will be done in a highly manufacturable manner, using passively aligned placement of the semiconductor components on the Silicon substrate to form a system in package-type of integration platform for RF photonic applications. This development will leverage off ongoing Freedom Photonics high-performance component technology development, including efficient lasers, low-V modulators, high-power MUTC photodetectors, and a low loss PLC waveguide platform.; BENEFIT: There are several application areas where the developed platform can be utilized. Replacing RF electronics withoptical domain processing is desirable to reduce weight, reduce or eliminate electromagnetic interference (EMI), reach broadband performance not available using standard RF components and allow easier deployment.Current RF over fiber optics systems are typically designed to support hardwired capability into ships, fixed buildings and laboratories. These systems utilize discrete optical components and relatively large electronics components for transceivers and are not optimized for small portable systems. The first planned product for the technology to be developed in this program is a broadband RF photonic link. Subsequent products will be launched for other RF photonic applications in development or applied in various DoD programs, including RF photonic links for avionic applications. In addition to a large number of military applications, this integration platform will also be applicable to many commercial markets, such as cell phone and satellite phone transceivers for home and business use, laboratory remoting, status measurements in nuclear power plants, GPS systems, portable communications, medical instrumentation and industrial control systems.