基于阿秒抖动光纤锁模激光器的时钟同步

光纤锁模激光器结构简单, 运转稳定, 且输出的超短脉冲序列具有极高的时钟稳定性, 在抽运探测、脉冲相干合成等要求高精度时钟同步的前沿领域有着广阔的应用前景. 本文通过激光器腔内的电光调制器进行反馈控制, 实现了两台光纤锁模激光器之间的紧密时钟信号同步; 并且通过平衡光学互相关方法, 对残余的时钟误差信号进行了测量, 分辨率达到了13 as. 通过优化激光器的腔内动力学过程及反馈环路的参数, 在[1 Hz, 10 MHz]的积分区间内得到了109 as的残余时钟误差, 对应单台激光器的平均时间抖动为77 as.     

Sub-100-as timing jitter optical pulse trains from mode-locked Er-fiber lasers

We demonstrate sub-100-as timing jitter optical pulse trains generated from free-running, 77.6 MHz repetition-rate, mode-locked Er-fiber lasers. At -0.002(±0.001) ps2 net cavity dispersion, the rms timing jitter is 70 as (224 as) integrated from 10 kHz (1 kHz) to 38.8 MHz offset frequency, when measured by a 24 as resolution balanced optical cross correlator. To our knowledge, this result corresponds to the lowest rms timing jitter measured from any mode-locked fiber lasers so far. The measured result also agrees fairly well with the Namiki-Haus analytic model of quantum-limited timing jitter in stretched-pulse fiber lasers.     

Attosecond-resolution timing jitter characterization of free-running mode-locked lasers

Timing jitter characterization of optical pulse trains from free-running mode-locked lasers with attosecond resolution is demonstrated using balanced optical cross correlation in the timing detector and the timing delay configurations. In the timing detector configuration, the balanced cross correlation between two mode-locked lasers synchronized by a low-bandwidth phase-locked loop is used to measure the timing jitter spectral density outside the locking bandwidth. In addition, the timing delay configuration using a 325 m long timing-stabilized fiber link enables the characterization of timing jitter faster than the delay time. The limitation set by shot noise in this configuration is 2.2 x 10(-8) fs(2)/Hz corresponding to 470 as in 10 MHz bandwidth.     

Subfemtosecond timing jitter between two independent, actively synchronized, mode-locked lasers

With the implementation of a fast-bandwidth servo, along with improved laser construction and associated better passive stability, we have achieved subfemtosecond relative timing jitter between two independent, actively synchronized, mode-locked Ti:sapphire lasers. Timing jitter of 0.58 fs is obtained with a 160-Hz observation bandwidth over several seconds. Within a 2-MHz observation bandwidth, the timing jitter is 1.75 fs. Excellent repeatability and rapid speed in setting an arbitrary time delay between two pulses are also demonstrated.     

Complete characterization of quantum-limited timing jitter in passively mode-locked fiber lasers

We characterize the timing jitter of passively mode-locked, femtosecond, erbium fiber lasers with unprecedented resolution, enabling the observation of quantum-origin timing jitter up to the Nyquist frequency. For a pair of nearly identical 79.4MHz dispersion-managed lasers with an output pulse energy of 450pJ, the high-frequency jitter was found to be 2.6fs [10kHz, 39.7MHz]. The results agree well with theoretical noise models over more than three decades, extending to the Nyquist frequency. It is also found that unexpected noise may occur if care is not taken in optimizing the mode-locked state.     

Impact of pulse dynamics on timing jitter in mode-locked fiber lasers

We investigate the high-frequency timing jitter spectral density of mode-locked fiber lasers in different mode-locked regimes. Quantum-noise-limited timing jitter spectra of mode-locked-regime-switchable Yb fiber lasers are measured up to the Nyquist frequency with sub-100-as resolution. The integrated rms timing jitter of soliton, stretched-pulse, and self-similar Yb fiber lasers is measured to be 1.8, 1.1, and 2.9 fs, respectively, when integrated from 10 kHz to 40 MHz. The distinct behavior of jitter spectral density related to pulse formation mechanisms is revealed experimentally for the first time.     

Noise of mode-locked lasers (Part II): timing jitter and other fluctuations

This work present a comprehensive discussion of the noise properties of mode-locked lasers, with an emphasis on the effect of quantum noise in passively mode-locked solid-state lasers. Of special interest is the timing jitter, which is coupled to noise in various other pulse parameters. The study is based on analytical results and on numerical tools as described in part one of this study. It results in useful guidelines for the comparison and optimization of different kinds of lasers concerning timing jitter. PACS 43.50.+y, 42.50.Lc, 42.60.Fc     

Measurement of mode-locked laser timing jitter by use of phase-encoded optical sampling

The phase-noise characteristics of a harmonically mode-locked fiber laser are investigated with a new measurement technique called phase-encoded optical sampling. A polarization-maintaining ring laser is mode locked by use of the short-pulse electrical output of a resonant-tunneling diode oscillator, enabling it to produce 30-ps pulses at a 208-MHz repetition rate. The interferometric phase-encoded sampling technique provides 60-dB suppression of amplitude-jitter noise and allows supermode phase noise to be observed and quantified. The white-noise pulse-to-pulse timing jitter and the rms supermode timing jitter of the laser are measured to be less than 50 and 70 fs, respectively.     

Passively mode-locked glass waveguide laser with 14-fs timing jitter

Ultralow jitter pulse trains are produced from a passively mode-locked, erbium/ytterbium co-doped, planar waveguide laser by use of high-bandwidth feedback control acting on the physical cavity length and optical pump power. Synchronization of a 750-MHz, fundamentally mode-locked laser to an external clock signal yields an ultralow, root-mean-square relative timing jitter of 14.4 fs integrated from 10 Hz to the Nyquist frequency of 375 MHz.     

Simultaneous achievement of narrow pulse width and low pulse-to-pulse timing jitter in 1.3 microm passively mode-locked quantum-dot lasers

We have analyzed pulse width and timing jitter in passively mode-locked two-section InAs quantum-dot lasers emitting at 1310 nm and have identified two distinct, extensive mode-locked regions with robust short pulses and low timing jitter. A record combination of 2 ps pulses and 25 fs/cycle timing jitter (500 fs, 1-100 MHz), with 1 mW average output power per facet, is demonstrated.     

Attosecond active synchronization of passively mode-locked lasers by balanced cross correlation

A balanced cross correlator, the optical equivalent of a balanced microwave phase detector, is demonstrated. Its use in synchronizing an octave-spanning Ti:sapphire laser and a 30-fs Cr:forsterite laser yields 300-attosecond timing jitter measured from 10 mHz to 2.3 MHz. The spectral overlap between the two lasers is strong enough to permit direct detection of the difference in carrier-envelope offset frequency between the two lasers.     

Subfemtosecond synchronization of microwave oscillators with mode-locked Er-fiber lasers

We synchronize an 8.06 GHz microwave signal from a voltage-controlled oscillator with an optical pulse train from a 77.5 MHz mode-locked Er-fiber laser using a fiber-based optical-microwave phase detector. The residual phase noise between the optical pulse train and the synchronized microwave signal is -133 dBc/Hz (-154 dBc/Hz) at 1 Hz (5 kHz) offset frequency, which results in 838 as integrated rms timing jitter [1 Hz-1 MHz]. The long-term residual phase drift is 847 as (rms) measured over 2 h, which reaches 4×10(-19) fractional frequency instability at 1800 s averaging time. This method has a potential to provide both subfemtosecond-level short-term phase noise and long-term phase stability in microwave extraction from mode-locked fiber lasers.     

Active synchronization of two mode-locked lasers with optical cross correlation

Two mode-locked Ti:sapphire lasers of different wavelengths were precisely synchronized by a simple feedback system employing sum-frequency generation (cross correlation). When the timing error exceeded the pulse duration, the periodic bunch of the sum-frequency pulse was used for rough timing adjustment. Using cross correlation with a stretched pulse, we struck a balance between wide locking range and sensitive timing detection. When the two lasers were well-synchronized, we obtained a continuous cross-correlation pulse train for 3 min. The holding time of the laser synchronization was extended to over one hour by adding a motorized stage to the PZT-mounted cavity mirror. We estimated the rms timing jitter between the two lasers by a scanning cross-correlation measurement. We confirmed that the rms timing jitter of the two lasers during 1.8 s was 28 fs. Received: 30 January 2002 / Revised version: 14 June 2002 / Published online: 8 August 2002     

Observation of quantum-limited timing jitter in an active, harmonically mode-locked fiber laser

We report on the observation of quantum-limited timing jitter in a harmonically mode-locked soliton fiber laser with an ultralow-noise local oscillator. The effects of amplitude and phase modulation on the spectrum are described and compared with theory.     

脉冲半导体激光器时基脉冲的实验对比测量

以脉冲半导体激光器为例，对3种测量激光脉冲时基抖动技术进行了对比实验。这3种测量技术分别是：基于宽带取样示波器的时基抖动测量技术;基于相位比较检相器的相位噪声测量技术和基于频谱仪的谐波频谱分析技术。对比研究发现：基于宽带取样示波器的时基抖动测量技术适用于脉冲宽带及脉冲抖动较大的光脉冲；基于频谱仪的谐波频谱分析技术适用于低重复频率光脉冲的抖动测量；基于相位比较检相器的相位噪声技术测量精度高、动态范围大、结果可靠，对于高重复频率的超短光脉冲，建议选用相位噪声测量技术测量激光脉冲的时基抖动。     

Experimental investigation of relative timing jitter in passively synchronized Q-switched lasers

Relative timing jitter between synchronized Q-switched lasers, or lack thereof, is important for stable sum-frequency generation. Experimental investigation of two passively synchronized lasers shows that the jitter is minimized when the free-running repetition rates of the two lasers are close to, but not exactly, matching. When the free-running repetition rates are matched, the jitter is significantly large. At the best operating point, the pulse-to-pulse period was 200 μs, while the relative jitter between the two lasers was 9 ns. If the effect of the master laser's pulse-to-pulse jitter is removed, the residual timing jitter between the two lasers was 6 ns, which corresponds to the lower limit set by pump power fluctuations and noise from spontaneous emission.     

Nearly quantum-noise-limited timing jitter from miniature Er:Yb:glass lasers

We report on nearly quantum-limited timing-jitter performance of two passively mode-locked Er:Yb:glass lasers with a repetition rate of 10 GHz. The relative timing jitter of both lasers was measured to be 190 fs (100 Hz-1.56 MHz) root mean square. The remaining cavity-length fluctuations are below 7.5 pm in the 6 Hz-8 kHz frequency range, indicating the stability of a rugged miniature cavity setup. By actively controlling the cavity length we reduced the timing jitter to 26 fs (6 Hz-1.56 MHz). We also discuss the influence of cavity length on the practically achievable timing jitter.     

40 GHz mode-beating with 8 Hz linewidth and 64 fs timing jitter from a synchronized mode-locked quantum-dash laser diode

Linewidth narrowing of the radio frequency beat-tones and the optical-modes is experimentally investigated in a ～40 GHz quantum-dash mode-locked laser diode subject to optical injection of 10 GHz pulses. In comparison to the 75 kHz linewidth exhibited by the beat-tones in passive mode-locking conditions, a remarkable reduction to less than 8 Hz is achieved when the laser is under optical injection. From this beat-tone signal, an integrated root-mean-square timing jitter of 64 fs is calculated. In addition, a quadratic profile of the optical linewidth with the wavelength is observed in active locking, reaching a minimum of 1.7 MHz for the longitudinal modes around 1530 nm and progressively increasing to 37.4 MHz for modes at 1525 nm.     

Temporal synchronization of independently tunable single longitudinal mode hybrid CO2 lasers

We report a quantitative study of temporal synchronization of two independently tunable, single longitudinal mode, hybrid CO₂ lasers, sharing a common high pressure section. The theoretical estimates for the dependence of the laser pulse build up time on the cw section pressure are in satisfactory agreement with the experimental results. Further, we show that temporal synchronization over a larger frequency range with no significant degradation of peak power or longitudinal mode selection is possible, by utilising the cw section gain length and cavity Q as additional control parameters.     

Stable route-tracking synchronization between two chaotically pulsing semiconductor lasers

Stable route-tracking synchronization is experimentally demonstrated in two semiconductor lasers with delayed optoelectronic feedback. When the two lasers are stably synchronized, the receiver laser is observed to track the route to chaotic pulsing of the transmitter laser. The stability of the route-tracking synchronization is examined by calculation of the transverse Lyapunov exponents of the coupled system.