Wavelength stabilized 980nm uncooled pump laser modules for erbium-doped fiber amplifiers

We review the development of wavelength stabilized 980nm pump laser modules without active temperature stabilization for applications in erbium-doped fiber amplifiers. Operation over a wide temperature range with an output power exceeding 400mW at an ambient temperature of 70°C is demonstrated. The overall reliability of uncooled modules is estimated to be well below 500 FIT at all operating conditions. Such devices are made possible by continuous development and steady improvement of the pump laser chip, the optimization of the fiber Bragg grating stabilization scheme, careful design of the module package, and extended reliability analysis on the basis of stress tests as well as field data.