All-fiber phase-modulated master oscillator power amplifier for coherent communication

An all-fiber phase-modulated master oscillator power amplifier for free-space coherent communication is presented. A distributed-feedback fiber laser at 1.06 μm is used as master oscillator. A novel phase modulator based on a ZnO-coated single-mode fiber modulates the single frequency communication signal. The modulated signal is then amplified in a double-clad doped fiber power amplifier. Up to 1 W cw single-frequency output power, phase modulated at 196 MHz, has been obtained.