Related Experiment Videos
Direct frequency comb generation from an octave-spanning, prismless Ti:sapphire laser
L Matos1, D Kleppner, O Kuzucu
1Department of Physics and Research Laboratory of Electronics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA. lia@mit.edu
Optics Letters
|August 18, 2004
Summary
This study presents a stable, self-referenced optical frequency comb generator using a prismless Ti:sapphire laser. The novel design offers simplicity and scalability for advanced laser applications.
Area of Science:
- * Optics
- * Laser Physics
- * Frequency Metrology
Background:
- * Optical frequency combs are crucial for high-precision measurements.
- * Previous designs often require complex setups and are less stable.
- * Self-referencing is key for maintaining comb coherence and accuracy.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To develop a simplified and highly stable self-referenced optical frequency comb.
- * To demonstrate an octave-spanning comb using a prismless Ti:sapphire laser.
- * To enable scaling of comb repetition rates to the gigahertz range.
Main Methods:
- * Utilized an octave-spanning, prismless Ti:sapphire laser.
- * Employed novel double-chirped mirror pairs and BaF2 wedges for dispersion compensation.
- * Implemented a self-referencing technique to stabilize the carrier-envelope offset frequency.
Main Results:
- * Achieved an intrinsically stable carrier-envelope beat note with a 30 dB signal-to-noise ratio.
- * Demonstrated octave spectral coverage at 25 dB below the average power level.
- * Recorded an in-loop accumulated phase error of 1.4 rad over a 100-kHz bandwidth.
Conclusions:
- * The developed prismless design offers significant simplicity and stability advantages.
- * The compact and scalable nature of the system facilitates broader applications.
- * This technique represents a robust advancement in optical frequency comb generation.