Low Loss Free Space Optical Receivers Using low-order Adaptive Optics and Multi-mode Fibre Systems

IEEE International Conference on Space Optical Systems and Applications (ICSOS), pp. 1–5

Abstract

Enabling optical satellite-to-ground (quantum) communication links necessitates reducing the free-space to fibre coupling losses induced by atmospheric turbulence. Adaptive optics (AO) and multi-mode fibres (MMF) are two of the most prominent methods to achieve a limited fibre coupling loss. AO is a mature technology and is already used to great effect. Meanwhile multi-mode fibres promise similar performance, while boasting entirely passive systems. However, the necessary high-order systems of either technology may lead to high complexity solutions and high costs. A hybrid solution featuring low-order systems of both technologies might offer the required performance while circumventing the need for high-order systems. This paper studies the optimal combination of AO and MMF by identifying trade-offs between them and investigating the relative merits of potential individual and combined systems for an LEO satellite optical downlink using numerical simulations. For each simulated MMF size, the minimum required level of adaptive optics correction for a median coupling losses of 2 dB is evaluated.

Authors 2

1. Emily van Hese Aachen

   Leiden University · Leiden Observatory

   Affiliation as printed

   Sterrewacht Leiden Leiden University,Leiden,Netherlands

2. Niek J. Doelman

   Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research

   Affiliation as printed

   Opto-Mechatronics TNO High-Tech Industry,Delft,The Netherlands