We engineer custom diodes and packages for demanding applications.
An overview of our comprehensive capabilities, from foundry to packaging.
Designing a custom, high-performance, fiber-coupled laser module requires not only an intimate knowledge of all of its components, but also the ability to make adjustments on a submicron level. Sheaumann teamed with Tesat-Spacecom in 2015 to develop a space-qualified laser module which is now used in LEO and GEO satellites. This intensive three-year project required an enhancement of Sheaumann’s flagship 2-Pin “SheauPac” module to perform continuously in the extreme environment of space for over 20 years without repair or recalibration. Some of the customizations of the module involved overcoming obstacles where an off-the-shelf product would have performed unsatisfactorily.
Extreme temps In Earth orbit, temperatures are far more extreme than any conditions experienced on Earth when the satellite moves from darkness to sun. This may cause shifts in the positioning of the chip and fiber, leading to a reduction in power and possible failure.
When the laser is sending optical data to Earth, the quality of each individual photon is critical for accurate signal transmission. Laser light in the fiber cladding can result in an unacceptable, “noisy” output.
“Whiskers” formed from tin have caused system failures in space-based applications. Tin is commonly used in solder.
Exposure to radiation in space will degrade standard fiber over time.
Conditions during the launch of the satellite can result in high mechanical stresses, including severe shock and vibration, which could damage the laser.
Standard adhesives such as epoxy will offgas over time and could cause laser failure if deposited on the facet.
Due to space and power constraints on a satellite, the size, weight, and power consumption of the laser module must be minimal.
Redundant laser modules must be employed to ensure continuous operation in case of failure, but they must be automatically switched on without additional circuitry or complexity.
We revised the processes for attaching the laser diode and fiber to the package to make it able to withstand 100,000 cycles from -55°C to +85°C.
We designed a proprietary fiber preparation and alignment process that greatly reduced the cladded light and improved the beam quality. We also redesigned the epitaxial structure of the diode and created an additional processing step for the facet, further improving the output.
We reformulated our solder to reduce the tin content while ensuring proper thermal conductivity and matching.
We procured a custom batch of radiation-tolerant fiber while adjusting our other processes to ensure its compatibility.
We employed our proprietary component dampening technology that we developed previously for a military application.
We procured a unique space-grade epoxy and added a component inside the module to absorb any detrimental emissions.
The lightweight, compact design of our signature 2-Pin “SheauPac” made it an ideal candidate for this project.
We designed a simple passive component that enabled the uninterrupted operation of the system in the event of a module failure.
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