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Characterizing Far-infrared Laser Emissions and the Measurement of Their Frequencies
Published on: December 18, 2015
Fiber-laser frequency combs with subhertz relative linewidths
W C Swann1, J J McFerran, I Coddington
1National Institute of Standards and Technology, Boulder, Colorado 80305, USA.
Optics Letters
|September 27, 2006
Summary
Fiber-laser frequency combs achieve subhertz relative linewidths, approaching Ti:sapphire performance. This advancement in optical comb technology offers precise measurements across a wide spectral range.
Area of Science:
- Quantum Optics
- Laser Physics
- Optical Metrology
Background:
- Frequency combs are crucial for high-precision optical measurements.
- Fiber-laser-based frequency combs offer potential advantages in compactness and robustness.
- Achieving narrow linewidths is essential for advanced applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the comb linewidths of self-referenced, fiber-laser-based frequency combs.
- To assess the performance of these combs by comparing them to established technologies like Ti:sapphire combs.
Main Methods:
- Measuring the heterodyne beat signal between two independent frequency combs.
- Phase locking the combs to a common continuous-wave (cw) optical reference.
- Characterizing linewidths and optical phase jitter across the 1200 to 1720 nm spectrum.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated instrument-limited, subhertz relative linewidths for optical comb lines.
- Achieved a residual integrated optical phase jitter of approximately 1 radian over a 60 mHz to 500 kHz bandwidth.
- Projected relative pulse timing jitter is approximately 1 femtosecond (fs).
Conclusions:
- Fiber-laser-based frequency combs can achieve performance comparable to Ti:sapphire systems.
- The demonstrated subhertz linewidths and low jitter open possibilities for new applications in metrology and spectroscopy.
- This work highlights the potential of fiber lasers for generating high-quality frequency combs.
