Mode-Locked Laser for Asynchronous Sampling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical asynchronous sampling techniques require complex electronic feedback control systems to maintain frequency locking between two lasers, making them high-cost and difficult to use for high-precision time domain signal measurement.
Innovation Solution
A method using a pulsed light source to emit multiple optical pulse sequences with different repetition frequencies, where one sequence is transformed into a signal pulse sequence and the other into a reference pulse sequence, allowing for asynchronous sampling signal measurement without the need for complex electronic feedback, leveraging modal dispersion in a single optical resonant cavity to stabilize frequency differences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If two individual lasers with specified repetition frequency difference are used for optical asynchronous sampling, then high-precision time domain signal measurement is achieved, but complex electronic feedback control system is required to maintain frequency locking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two separate laser systems into a single mode-locked laser that generates two pulse sequences with different repetition frequencies through intracavity dispersion. This consolidation eliminates the need for complex electronic feedback control systems while maintaining the frequency difference required for asynchronous sampling, thus reducing device complexity without sacrificing measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The single mode-locked laser is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: generating optical pulses at two different repetition frequencies (f1 and f2) through chromatic dispersion in the resonant cavity. This multi-functional approach allows one laser to replace what previously required two lasers with frequency locking, thereby simplifying the overall system architecture
2Reliability
If two individual lasers with frequency locking are used, then stable frequency difference is maintained, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate laser systems into one mode-locked laser with intracavity dispersion elements. This single laser generates two pulse sequences with stable frequency difference through controlled chromatic dispersion, eliminating the need for expensive frequency locking mechanisms and reducing overall system cost while maintaining reliability
3Measurement precision
If two individual lasers are used for optical asynchronous sampling, then frequency locking is achieved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two complex frequency-locked laser systems into a single mode-locked laser that inherently produces two pulse sequences with stable frequency difference through intracavity dispersion. This eliminates the need for operators to manage frequency locking, significantly improving ease of operation while maintaining measurement precision
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach simplifies the system, reduces costs, and enables high-precision time domain signal measurement by stabilizing frequency differences through modal dispersion, facilitating applications in terahertz, pump-probe, and spectroscopy measurements.
Implementation Method 1
one light source could emit two laser pulses with different repetition rates by leveraging the modal dispersion, the polarization mode dispersion, the birefringence and the chromatic dispersion in the optical resonant cavity
Implementation Method 2
the optical pulse sequence with different center wavelengths and different repetition rates emitted by the pulsed laser can be passed through the nonlinear optical process to make the spectra of the optical pulse sequences with one or more different center wavelengths broaden and overlap
Implementation Method 3
The optical amplifier in the apparatus amplifies the optical signal, so that it can make the spectrum broaden and overlap by the nonlinear effects
Data Source
AI summary
A method and a system for measuring an optical asynchronous sample signal. The system for measuring an optical asynchronous sampling signal comprises a pulsed optical source capable of emitting two optical pulse sequences with different repetition frequencies, a signal optical path, a reference optical path, and a detection device. Since the optical asynchronous sampling signal can be measured by merely using one pulsed optical source, the complexity and cost of the system are reduced. A multi-frequency optical comb system using the pulsed optical source and a method for implementing the multi-frequency optical comb are further disclosed.