Highly precise stabilization of intracavity prism-based Er:fiber frequency comb using optical-microwave phase...

Area of Science:

• Physics
• Optical Engineering
• Spectroscopy

Background:

• Frequency combs are precise optical rulers, crucial for metrology and spectroscopy.
• Stabilizing fiber-based frequency combs is challenging but essential for practical applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate a fully stabilized Erbium-doped fiber (Er:fiber) frequency comb.
• To achieve high-precision and long-term phase locking of the comb's repetition rate and carrier-envelope offset frequency.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a fiber-based, high-precision optical-microwave phase detector for feedback control.
• Employed combined frequency control techniques: tuning pump power and cavity length for repetition rate stabilization.
• Introduced intracavity prisms to regulate carrier-envelope offset frequency, phase-locking a comb mode to a rubidium transition.

Main Results:

• Achieved a fully stabilized Er:fiber frequency comb with high precision and long-term phase locking.
• Demonstrated a residual frequency instability of 3.6×10⁻¹³ for each comb mode.
• The stabilized comb exhibits stability comparable to the microwave reference.

Conclusions:

• The demonstrated stabilization scheme offers a robust method for creating high-precision frequency combs.
• This technology has significant potential for advancing optical communication and direct frequency comb spectroscopy.