A self-referenced optical phase noise analyzer for quantum technologies

Second generation quantum technologies aim to outperform classical alternatives by utilizing engineered quantum systems. Maintaining the coherence required to enable any quantum advantage requires detailed knowledge and control over the noise that the hosting system is subjected to. Characterizing noise processes via their power spectral density is routinely done throughout science and technology and can be a demanding task. Determining the phase noise power spectrum in leading quantum technology platforms, for example, can be either outside the reach of many phase noise analyzers or prohibitively expensive. In this work, we present and characterize a low-complexity, low-cost optical phase noise analyzer based on the short-delay optical self-heterodyne measurements for quantum technology applications. Using this setup, we compare two ≈1 Hz linewidth ultra-stable oscillators near 729 nm. Their measurements are used as a baseline to determine and discuss the noise floor achieved in this measurement apparatus with a focus on limitations and their tradeoffs. The achieved noise floor in this all-stock-component implementation of an optical phase noise analyzer compares favorably with commercial offerings. This setup can be used particularly without a more stable reference or operational quantum system as a sensor as would be the case for many component manufacturers.