![A collage of pet photos — including cats, dogs, birds, and rabbits — overlaid on Earth with laser links between Earth and a communications terminal on the International Space Station.](/sites/default/files/styles/news_3_up/public/news/image/2024-06/pet-article-image-1-1.png?itok=1WGA7FOh)
![The protective windows on the telescopes of the Lunar Laser Communication Demonstration's ground terminal on White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, reflect the desert sunset.](/sites/default/files/styles/ifde_hero/public/rdgroup/image/2018-04/LLGT_1.jpg?h=3354437d&itok=9bOMnCuP)
Optical Communications Technology
We research and develop a wide range of space, airborne, and terrestrial communication systems. These systems include hardware for a terminal that is used in a near-Earth wideband relay laser communication system and prototypes of a beam director that will be integrated in a laser communication system. Our team has created the most sensitive high-data-rate laser communications links ever developed. We have also begun new research into extending the range and utility of undersea communication transceivers.
Featured Projects
![An illustration of data being sent across a laser from a small satellite to a ground station on Earth.](/sites/default/files/styles/list/public/news/image/2022-11/tbird_conops_public_notext.jpg?h=d1cb525d&itok=qp_Ti0vK)
laser communications
TeraByte InfraRed Delivery (TBIRD)
The laser communications payload has delivered terabytes of data from a satellite to Earth at record-breaking rates that will transform future science missions.
![A rendition of a communications payload on its spacecraft host, with laser links over the Earth connecting Hawaii and California.](/sites/default/files/styles/list/public/project/image/2023-06/LCRD%20schematic.png?itok=tMRpTWBR)
laser communications
Laser Communications Relay Demonstration
Optical communications technologies decades in the making at Lincoln Laboratory were transferred to NASA for its first two-way laser relay communications system.
![The Laboratory's novel optical communication system was integrated on a robotic undersea vehicle.](/sites/default/files/styles/list/public/project/image/2018-09/513340-001D.jpg?itok=8SslKgvb)
optical systems
Undersea Optical Communications
A system that enables robust, long-distance communications between underwater vehicles exploits laser technology.
![The International Space Station will be outfitted with our ILLUMA-T laser terminal to provide optical communications.](/sites/default/files/styles/list/public/project/image/2018-03/323070main_s119e009662_hires.jpg?h=3ced22da&itok=MR0jKxSJ)
![The high-rate, entangled-photon source technologies will be integrated into the optical fiber quantum network test bed.](/sites/default/files/styles/list/public/project/image/2018-04/Quantum_Source.jpg?itok=cmxvzIai)
quantum systems and science
Quantum Network Test Bed
Lincoln Laboratory and MIT researchers are creating a shared quantum network test bed that will be used for developing and realistic testing of applications that take advantage of quantum science's potential to enable diverse, advanced communication, sensing, and computing systems.
Latest News
Laboratory Stories
I’ve come to appreciate the responsibility we have at the Laboratory to provide analysis, guidance, and technology for national defense, and the role that I can play in supporting that mission.
Nicholas Hardy
Systems Engineer
Communication Systems
Optical Communications Technology
This work style is exceptionally fulfilling for me; I never get bored.
Catherine Lockton
Systems Engineer
Communication Systems
Optical Communications Technology
My favorite aspect of my work is seeing a project through to the prototype or operational stage — observing a physical system achieve its intended performance is incredible.
Kat Riesing
Systems Engineer
Communication Systems
Optical Communications Technology
Advancing Our Research
Featured Publications
Quantum simulator of an open quantum system using superconducting qubits: exciton transport in photosynthetic complexes
Oct 1
New J. Phys., Vol. 14, October 2012, 105013.
Photonic ADC: overcoming the bottleneck of electronic jitter
Feb 13
Opt. Express, Vol. 20, No. 4, 13 February 2012, pp. 4454-4469.
Compact external-cavity semiconductor mode-locked laser with quantum-well-intermixed modulator and saturable absorber
Oct 9
IPC11, IEEE Photonics Conf., 9-13 October 2011, pp. 753-754.