A new laser technology for LISA

Within the European Space Agency (ESA) activity “Gravitational Wave Observatory Metrology Laser” we designed a laser head to fulfill the LISA laser requirements using a non-NPRO seed laser technology: an external cavity diode laser (ECDL) with resonant optical feedback from an external cavity as master oscillator for further linewidth narrowing. Furthermore, our design features a single-stage fiber amplifier with an amplification factor of about 20 dB. This paper covers the requirements on the laser source for LISA, the design and first results of performance characterization of the laser head breadboard.