High-resolution wide-band optical frequency comb control using stimulated Brillouin scattering

Area of Science:

• Photonics
• Quantum Optics
• Fiber Optics

Background:

• Optical frequency combs are crucial for precise measurements and spectroscopy.
• Previous methods for manipulating individual comb lines were complex and limited scalability.
• Stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) offers narrow-linewidth control but required dedicated lasers per comb line.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a novel, scalable technique for line-by-line manipulation of optical frequency combs.
• To overcome the limitations of previous methods requiring individual lasers for each comb tooth.
• To demonstrate precise control of a large number of comb lines using a single seed laser.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a pair of frequency-shifting fiber optic loops to generate both an optical frequency comb and frequency-locked pulses.
• Employed stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) for line-by-line manipulation.
• Implemented polarization pulling assisted SBS to enhance modulation depth.

Main Results:

• Successfully generated and manipulated an optical frequency comb with 50 lines and 200 MHz spacing.
• Achieved a modulation depth of 30 dB using polarization pulling assisted SBS.
• Demonstrated complete comb control using a single seed laser without active frequency locking.

Conclusions:

• The developed SBS technique provides a scalable and high-resolution approach for controlling optical frequency combs.
• This method simplifies comb manipulation, enabling precise control of numerous comb teeth with standard fiber-optic components.
• The technique offers a versatile solution for advanced photonic applications requiring fine control over optical spectra.