Optical synthesizer tuning using fine and coarse optical frequency combs

Abstract

Optical synthesizer tuning using fine and coarse optical frequency combs. Embodiments herein provide an optical frequency synthesizer comprising a coarse optical frequency comb, a fine optical frequency comb, and an output laser. The comb is pumped with a first pump laser and sets the absolute frequency of at least one tooth of the coarse optical frequency comb. The fine comb is pumped with a second pump laser and has a frequency spacing between teeth that is locked to a fractional or integer multiple of the radio frequency reference. Initially, the second pump laser is locked to the first tooth of the coarse optical frequency comb. The optical frequency synthesizer can be tuned by scanning the second pump laser and locking the second pump laser to the desired tooth. An output signal can then be generated with the output laser based on the teeth of the fine comb after the second pump is locked to the desired tooth.

Description

[0001] Cross References to Related Applications [0002] This application claims the benefit of US Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61 / 990,023, filed May 7, 2014, which is hereby incorporated by reference. Background technique [0003] Accurate, tunable optical synthesis has potential applications in standoff effluent characterization, high-bandwidth and secure communications, spectroscopy, gas sensing, lidar, optical carrier atomic clocks, and atomic and optomechanical inertial sensors. State-of-the-art optical combiners are limited to laboratory use due to size, cost, and power requirements. [0004] Optical combiners for accurate and stable light output over a wide range (such as the C-band optical communication range of 1530-1565nm) have output light locked to a highly stable and accurate optical reference with feedback in the radio frequency (RF) domain control. For large-scale optical synthesizers, self-referencing optical frequency combs based on Ti-sapphire...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

State-of-the-art optical combiners are limited to laboratory use due to size, cost, and power requirements

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