Tunable optical frequency division using a phase-locked optical parametric oscillator

Area of Science:

• Nonlinear optics
• Quantum optics
• Laser physics

Background:

• Optical frequency division is crucial for precise frequency metrology.
• Traditional methods often require complex setups or are limited in tunability.
• Optical parametric oscillators (OPOs) offer a promising platform for generating tunable optical frequencies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To experimentally demonstrate a novel optical parametric oscillator (OPO) approach for tunable optical frequency division.
• To achieve precise determination of output frequencies at approximately half the input pump frequency.
• To validate the phase-locking technique for stable frequency division.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a continuous-wave (cw) potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP) optical parametric oscillator.
• Generated signal and idler subharmonic outputs from the OPO.
• Phase locked the beat frequency between the signal and idler outputs to a microwave reference frequency source.

Main Results:

• Successfully demonstrated tunable optical frequency division using the OPO setup.
• Achieved precise determination of output frequencies at approximately 50% of the input pump frequency.
• Phase locking ensured stable and accurate frequency division.

Conclusions:

• The novel OPO approach provides a viable method for tunable optical frequency division.
• This technique offers precise control and determination of optical frequencies.
• The experimental demonstration validates the potential of OPOs in advanced frequency metrology applications.