Fast, low-noise, mode-by-mode, cavity-enhanced absorption spectroscopy by diode-laser self-locking

A new technique of cavity enhanced absorption spectroscopy is described. Molecular absorption spectra are obtained by recording the transmission maxima of the successive TEM_oo resonances of a high-finesse optical cavity when a Distributed Feedback Diode Laser is tuned across them. A noisy cavity output is usually observed in such a measurement since the resonances are spectrally narrower than the laser. We show that a folded (V-shaped) cavity can be used to obtain selective optical feedback from the intracavity field which builds up at resonance. This induces laser linewidth reduction and frequency locking. The linewidth narrowing eliminates the noisy cavity output, and allows measuring the maximum mode transmissions accurately. The frequency locking permits the laser to scan stepwise through the successive cavity modes. Frequency tuning is thus tightly optimized for cavity mode injection. Our setup for this technique of Optical-Feedback Cavity-Enhanced Absorption Spectroscopy (OF-CEAS) includes a 50 cm folded cavity with finesse ∼20 000 (ringdown time ∼20 μs) and allows recording spectra of up to 200 cavity modes (2 cm⁻¹) using 100 ms laser scans. We obtain a noise equivalent absorption coefficient of ∼5×10⁻¹⁰ cm⁻¹ for 1 s averaging over scans, with a dynamic range of four orders of magnitude.     

A bidirectional hybrid DWDM-PON employing optical injection locking technique and data comparators

A bidirectional hybrid dense-wavelength-division-multiplexing (DWDM)-passive optical network (PON) employing optical injection locking technique on vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) and data comparator, as well as optical injection locking technique on distributed feedback laser diodes (DFB LDs) and amplitude/phase compensator is proposed and demonstrated. Improved performances of bit error rate (BER) and carrier-to-noise ratio/composite second order/composite triple beat (CNR/CSO/CTB) were observed in our proposed bidirectional hybrid DWDM-PON. Bidirectional transmission in bidirectional hybrid DWDM-PON architecture is a very attractive option, the capacity of the optical network can be expanded relatively easily by bidirectional transmission technology.     

Fabrication and transmission experiments of distributed feedback laser modules for 2.5 Gb s-1 optical transmission systems

A distributed feedback (DFB) laser module has been developed for 2.5 Gbs^-1 optical transmission systems. The DFB laser has a multiple-quantum-well (MQW) active layer and a planar buried heterostructure (PBH) for a low threshold current and stable singlemode operation with low chirping. A PBH DFB laser module with a single-mode fibre pigtail and an optical isolator was designed and fabricated by employing a single lens and a laser welding method. The fabricated MQW PBH DFB laser module is shown to be a suitable light source for 2.5 Gb s^-1 optical transmission systems with a minimum received power of-33 dBm after 47 km conventional optical fibre transmission.     

Doppler-free spectroscopy of rubidium atoms driven by a control laser

A scheme of Doppler-free spectroscopy is experimentally demonstrated with a co-propagating control laser locking to an atomic hyperfine transition, and the differential transmission of the probe and the reference laser is detected. Crossover resonances are eliminated by selecting the class of atoms with zero velocity in the direction of beam propagation. In addition, the sub-Doppler spectrum experiences optical gain compared to the conventional saturated-absorption spectrum as a result of optical pumping.     

利用光频梳提高台阶高度测量准确度的方法

提出一种利用光频梳和可调谐半导体激光器提高台阶高度测量准确度的方法. 通过将可调谐激光器锁定至光频梳,可对激光器的输出波长进行精确锁定与测量.基于可调合成波长链原理,利用锁定后的半导体激光器构建了一套台阶高度测量方案,该方案可消除合成波长误差对台阶高度测量不确定度的影响. 采用一台可调谐半导体激光器和光频梳进行了5000 s的连续锁定实验, 结果表明,锁定后的可调谐半导体激光器的频率稳定度达 1.8×10^-12.该方法的理论测量不确定度约为7.9 nm, 且测量结果可溯源至时间频率基准.     

Characteristics of the Phase Noise Correlation of Injection Locked Lasers for RF Signal Generation and Transmission

Theoretical and experimental results on phase noise characteristics of an optical radio-frequency generation and transmission system using heterodyne photo-detection and side band injection locking is reported. Optical phase noise correlation of the lasers is achieved by noise transfer from a modulated master laser. Our investigation takes into account phase noise enhancement in optical comb generation, injection dynamic, path delay, and fiber dispersion. Theoretical expressions are derived from an adiabatic approximation and compared with experimental measures.     

Dual synchronization of chaos in microchip lasers

We have achieved dual synchronization of chaos in two pairs of one-way coupled Nd:YVO4 microchip lasers, using only one transmission channel, by experiment and numerical calculation. We observed the individual synchronization of chaos in each pair of two lasers by adjusting the optical frequencies for injection locking between the corresponding pairs. The achievement of dual synchronization is dependent on the injection-locking condition, which is different from the locking condition for a single pair of lasers because of the presence of an additional injection signal from the master laser of the other pair.     

Long distance transmission of SC-FDMA signals by directly-modulated OIL-VCSEL

We demonstrate the long distance transmission of single-carrier frequency division multiple address signals by directly-modulated optically injection-locked vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser. Transmission distance as long as 50 km is achieved at 5 Gb/s (2.5 Gb/s for each user) through data pattern inversion and higher frequency response gain under optical injection locking.     

Study on the method of controlling chaos in an Er-doped fiber dual-ring laser via external optical injection and shifting optical feedback light

Controlling chaos in an erbium-doped fiber dual-ring laser is studied by injecting an external light and shifting the phase of an optical feedback light. First, the parameters of the externally injected optical signal are adjusted to bring the chaotic laser into a single-period state and a multiperiod state, respectively. In addition, the single-mode locking in a single ring of the laser as well as the dual-mode locking in dual ring of the laser are found. Secondly, the method of optical feedback is used to stabilize chaos by controlling the parameters of the optical devices in an external optical path. We show that the optical negative feedback can stabilize the chaotic laser into a single-period state, while the optical positive feedback can stabilize the chaotic laser into another single-period state and a period-doubling state. Lastly, various dynamical states are produced in the laser by shifting the phase of the optical feedback light.     

Injection locking of ArF excimer lasers

Injection-locking characteristics of an ArF excimer oscillator-amplifier laser are described including the use of stable-unstable optical cavities. Output intensities of 1 MW cm^–2 have been produced with 3 mJ output energy, a spectral linewidth better than 5×10^–3 nm and an injection locking efficiency of 0.9.     

Improving Locking Accuracy of Resonant Optical Gyroscope by Laser and Acoustooptic Frequency Shifter Jointed Pound-Drever-Hall Technique

ABSTRACT

A laser and acoustooptic frequency shifter jointed Pound-Drever-Hall technique is designed to lock the resonant optical gyroscope. Utilizing direct digital synthesizer (DDS) technology and temperature control in the driver, the frequency-shift precision of the acoustooptic frequency shifter higher than 1 Hz is obtained. Experiments show that compared with locking by tuning the laser only, the zero-bias stability of the gyroscope is improved. In this locking scheme, there are few additional devices, the tuning of the laser and the acoustooptic frequency shifter share a common Pound-Drever-Hall locking system, and the demodulation and the locking algorithms are simple.     

谱线和耦合系数对光纤激光器相互注入锁定的影响

相互注入锁定是相干合成技术中最具发展前景的方案之一. 在两个光纤激光器相互注入锁定的基础上,利用可调节光纤光栅改变其中一个激光器的中心谱线和利用不同的分束器改变两个激光器间的耦合系数,同时监测两个激光器的远场光斑和谱线,判断激光器谱线和耦合系数对相互注入锁定的影响. 通过理论和实验得到：提高耦合系数可以提高锁定的频率差;两个激光器的谱线越接近锁定的效果越好,当激光器的谱线超过一定范围时,两个激光器将不能被锁定. 关键词： 光纤激光器 相干合成 相位锁定     

基于飞秒光频梳的压电陶瓷闭环位移控制系统

利用飞秒光频梳、外腔可调谐半导体激光器和法布里-珀罗干涉仪建立了一套压电陶瓷亚纳米级闭环位移控制系统. 将可调谐半导体激光器锁定至光频梳, 通过精确调谐光频梳的重复频率, 实现了半导体激光器在其工作频率范围内的精密调谐. 利用Pound-Drever-Hall锁定技术将带有压电陶瓷的法布里-珀罗腔锁定至半导体激光器, 进而通过频率发生系统控制压电陶瓷产生亚纳米级分辨率的位移. 实验研究发现锁定至光频梳后可调谐半导体激光器1 s的Allan标准偏差为1.68×10^-12, 将其在30.9496 GHz范围内进行连续闭环调谐, 可获得压电陶瓷的位移行程约为4.8 μm; 以3.75 Hz的步长扫描光频梳的重复频率, 实现了压电陶瓷的450 pm闭环位移分辨率并测定了压电陶瓷的磁滞特性曲线. 该系统不存在非线性测量误差, 且激光频率及压电陶瓷位移均溯源至铷钟频率源. 关键词： 光频梳 压电陶瓷 法布里-珀罗腔 可调谐半导体激光器     

Preliminary frequency measurement of the electric quadrupole transition in a single laser-cooled 40Ca+ ion

The trapping and laser cooling of ⁴⁰Ca⁺ ion on the way toward optical frequency standards have been developed. A single ⁴⁰Ca⁺ ion is trapped in the miniature Paul trap and laser cooled by two frequency-stabilized diode lasers. A commercial Ti:Sapphire laser system at 729 nm is referenced to a high-finesse cavity to meet the requirements of ultra narrow linewidth of the 4s²S_1/2-3d²D_5/2 electric quadrupole transition. Its center frequency is preliminarily measured to be 411 042 129 686.1 (2.6) kHz. The attempt to finally lock the 729-nm laser system to atomic transition is made. Further work to improve the accuracy of measurement and the stabilization of system locking is in consideration and preparation.     

Optical waveguide writing inside Foturan glass with femtosecond laser pulses

We investigated the femtosecond laser writing of optical waveguides inside Foturan glass at various pulse energies and focusing depths. An optimal waveguide fabricated solely by femtosecond laser irradiation showed a refractive index modulation of ∼1.7×10^-3 and a minimum transmission loss of ∼0.80 dB/cm. This type of waveguide had lower transmission loss than those fabricated by a hybrid process of femtosecond laser exposure and following thermal treatment. An optical splitter was also fabricated at high pulse energy. PACS 42.65.Re; 42.82.Et; 42.70.Gi     

Generation of stable and tunable optical frequency linked to a radio frequency by use of a high finesse cavity and its application in absorption spectroscopy

The laser frequency could be linked to an radio frequency through an external cavity by the combination of Pound-Drever-Hall and Devoe-Brewer locking techniques. A stable and tunable optical frequency at wavelength of 1.5 μm obtained by a cavity with high finesse of 96000 and a fiber laser has been demonstrated, calibrated by a commercial optical frequency comb. The locking performances have been analyzed by in-loop and out-loop noises, indicating that the absolute frequency instability could be down to 50 kHz over 1 s and keep to less than 110 kHz over 2.5 h. Then, the application of this stabilized laser to the direct absorption spectroscopy has been performed. With the help of balanced detection, the detection sensitivity, in terms of optical density, can reach to 9.4×10^-6.     

CPT原子频标实验研究

介绍了相干布居囚禁（CPT）原子频标的小型、低功耗物理系统,并应用它开展实现了CPT原子频标的激光锁定、微波锁定方案的实验室研究.通过采用电流负反馈将激光频率锁定在原子对激光的吸收峰上,电压负反馈将微波频率锁定在电磁感应透明共振峰上,用该物理系统实现了闭环锁定的实验室桌面CPT频标实验系统.对该实验系统的频率稳定度测量获得200 s内优于5×10^-11τ^-1/2的结果. 关键词： CPT原子频标 频率稳定度 激光稳频     

Cavity-enhanced optical frequency doubler based on transmission-mode Hänsch–Couillaud locking

A variant of the Hänsch–Couillaud technique for locking the pump laser frequency to a cavity-enhanced optical frequency doubler is presented. In contrast to the original scheme in which the pump laser light reflected by the enhancement cavity is monitored, the error signal for locking is obtained by polarization analysis of the light transmitted by the cavity. The cavity serves as a spectral and spatial filter for the pump beam, making the transmission-mode locking method particularly useful if the beam quality is poor. Experimental validation of the method is demonstrated by generating more than 190 mW of stable 461 nm light from a cavity-enhanced frequency doubler that is pumped by a diode laser system.     

Diode laser spectrometer at 493 nm for single trapped Ba+ ions

+ ions. Frequency doubling of a 100 mW diode laser at 986 nm results in up to 60 mW output power at 493 nm in a bandwidth of less than 60 kHz with respect to the cavity used for locking. Reference frequencies of 18 spectral lines of Te₂ near the 493 nm resonance of Ba⁺ have been measured using modulation transfer spectroscopy. The fluorescence excitation spectrum of a single Ba⁺ ion, measured with this laser, exhibits well-resolved dark resonances, which confirms the versatility of the system for quantum optical experiments. Received: 12 June 1998     

Frequency comb-referenced narrow line width diode laser system for coherent molecular spectroscopy

We analyze in detail the frequency noise properties of a grating enhanced external cavity diode laser (GEECDL). This system merges two diode laser concepts, the grating stabilized diode laser and the diode laser with resonant optical feedback, thus combining a large tuning range with an excellent short-term frequency stability. We compare the frequency noise spectrum of a GEECDL to that of a grating stabilized diode laser and demonstrate a 10-fold reduction of the frequency noise linear spectral density. The GEECDL is phase locked to a similar laser and to a fs-frequency comb with a servo loop providing an open-loop unity-gain frequency of only 237 kHz, which is a tenth of the bandwidth typically required for grating stabilized diode lasers. We achieve a residual rms phase error as small as 72 mrad (≈ 200 mrad) for stabilization to a similar laser (to the fs-frequency comb). We demonstrate that the novel diode laser can phase-coherently track a stable optical reference with an instability of 1.8×10^-16 at 1 s. This laser system is well suited for applications that require phase locking to a low-power optical reference under noisy conditions. It may also be considered for the implementation of optical clock lasers. PACS 42.55.Px; 42.60.Jf; 42.50.Gy