Generation of an optical frequency comb with a Gaussian spectrum using a linear time-to-space mapping system

We demonstrate the generation of an optical frequency comb (OFC) with a Gaussian spectrum using a continuous-wave (CW) laser, based on spatial convolution of a slit and a periodically moving optical beam spot in a linear time-to-space mapping system. A CW optical beam is linearly mapped to a spatial signal using two sinusoidal electro-optic (EO) deflections and an OFC is extracted by inserting a narrow spatial slit in the Fourier-transform plane of a second EO deflector (EOD). The spectral shape of the OFC corresponds to the spatial beam profile in the near-field region of the second EOD, which can be manipulated by a spatial filter without spectral dispersers. In a proof-of-concept experiment, a 16.25-GHz-spaced, 240-GHz-wide Gaussian-envelope OFC (corresponding to 1.8 ps Gaussian pulse generation) was demonstrated.