The signals that will be received on Earth from deep-space probes in future implementations of free-space optical communication will be extremely weak, and new ground stations will have to be developed in order to support these links. This paper addresses the feasibility of using the technology developed in the gamma-ray telescopes that will make up the Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA) observatory in the implementation of a new kind of ground station. Among the main advantages that these telescopes provide are the much larger apertures needed to overcome the power limitation that ground-based gamma-ray astronomy and optical communication both have. Also, the large number of big telescopes that will be built for CTA will make it possible to reduce costs by economy-scale production, enabling optical communications in the large telescopes that will be needed for future deep-space links.

We present experimental results on the emission characteristics of a 1.5-m distributed feedback (DFB) tapered master oscillator power amplifier (MOPA) in a wide range of steady-state injection conditions, showing different dynamical behaviors. A detailed analysis of the optical and radio-frequency spectra has allowed the identification of three different emission regimes: i) stable amplified DFB emission, but with wavelength jumps when sweeping the injection currents; ii) multimode Fabry-Perot (FP) operation of the complete MOPA cavity; and iii) self-pulsed operation at frequencies between 5 and 8 GHz. The quasi-periodic occurrence of these emission regimes as a function of the injected currents is interpreted in terms of a thermally tuned competition between the modes of the master oscillator and the compound cavity modes. The physical origin of the wavelength jumps and of the alternation between regimes is discussed.Index Terms: High power semiconductor lasers, master oscillator power amplifier, multimode dynamics.

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We present the design and the performance of a monolithically integrated master oscillator power amplifier at 1.5 una. The three-section device includes a distributed feedback laser, a modulation section, and a high power tapered amplifier. In order to mitigate the coupling effects of the light reflected at the facets, the device has been designed with a bent longitudinal axis and a tilted front facet. The device delivers >400 mW modehopping free output power. In static regime, the modulation section allows an extinction ratio of 35 dB.

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