ATR has developed a laser amplifier
The time has come when clear information can be transmitted between satellites by using the YAG Laser. (Diagram of ATR's idea)
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Advanced Telecommunication Laboratories (ATR) of the Kansai Science City (Seika-cho, Kyoto Prefecture) has developed the first laser amplifier, which can be used to transmit information between satellites. The laser amplifier is based on the technology of the YAG Laser, a laser scalpel for removing cancer cells. ATR hopes that "if the laser amplifier is combined with weather satellites, it will allow for clearer image information and make weather forecasts more accurate."
The main feature of the YAG laser is that its light (signal) for exchanging images and other information is extremely clear. Compared with the standard semiconductor lasers used for transmission of information in optical fibers, the YAG laser with a wavelength of 1.06 microns is over 100 times clearer. However, because there was no amplifier that could increase the strength of the YAG Laser for sending information over long distances, the laser has been limited to uses such as a laser scalpel. To develop the amplifier, ATR has created a new type of optical fiber, which uses the elements Neodymium and Aluminum. This optical fiber is attached to the amplifier and a semiconductor laser (wavelength = 0.8 microns) is sent through it, forcing a reaction with substances such as Neodymium. This process has successfully intensified a YAG laser with a wavelength of 1.06 microns over 1000 times. Images from weather satellites are sent to the Earth via several other satellites. According to ATR, the signal of the YAG Laser, which can only reach 1,000 kilometers at present, will be able to reach 10,000 kilometers by attaching these amplifiers to the satellites. "This will make the transmission information between satellites clearer than the current system of radio transmission." * YAG Laser is a laser which is created from a crystal made from Yttrium, Aluminum and Garnet. |
