单腔双光梳拍频信号包络提取方法

对单腔双光梳拍频信号的包络提取方法进行了实验研究。在单个光纤激光器中引入具有强双折射的保偏光纤,使脉冲沿偏振正交的两个方向进行复用传输和锁模。精细调节腔内偏振态,实现了重频差在337 Hz～2.33 kHz范围内连续可调的双光梳生成。通过激光器腔外偏振态调节和偏振分束,获得了消光比分别为28.5 dB和38.2 dB的两路光频梳。两路光频梳经过异步采样后,采用所设计的包络检波电路对拍频信号的包络进行提取,与采用基于样条插值和希尔伯特变换的包络提取算法计算结果相比,所提取的包络峰值位置基本保持一致,验证了该方法的可行性。双光梳拍频信号包络提取实验研究可以快速实时提取包络形状和包络峰值位置,可进一步应用于包络信号触发和精密测距等领域。     

太赫兹半导体激光光频梳研究进展

光频梳由一系列等间距、高稳定性的频率线组成.由于具有超高频率稳定性和超低相位噪声,光频梳在精密光谱测量、成像、通信等领域具有重要应用.在太赫兹波段,基于半导体的电抽运太赫兹量子级联激光器具有大功率输出、宽频率覆盖范围等特点,是产生太赫兹光频梳的理想载体.本文主要介绍基于太赫兹半导体量子级联激光器光频梳的研究进展,详细列举了自由运行、主动稳频和被动稳频模式下产生光频梳的方法.双光梳光谱可以克服传统太赫兹光谱仪需要机械扫描系统而难以实现实时光谱检测的难题,是光频梳应用的主要方向.在光频梳基础之上,本文还介绍了采用两个太赫兹量子级联激光器产生双光梳的方法和应用.     

微腔光梳的产生、发展及应用

光频梳提供了光波和微波相干链接的桥梁,它的诞生革命性地提高了人们对于光学频率和时间的测量精度,深刻影响着当今世界科技的发展.最早的光频梳产生于锁模激光器系统,然而基于锁模激光器的光梳,因其系统复杂、体积庞大和价格高昂,一般仅限于实验室应用.近年来一种新型光频梳应运而生,并有望解决上述问题.它是通过连续激光耦合进入高品质光学微腔而激发的,在频域上通过四波混频产生等间距的频率分量,在时域上则利用非线性效应平衡微腔色散而形成锁模,这种新型光频梳被称为“微腔光梳”.相比于传统光梳,微腔光梳有着尺寸小、可集成、功耗低和重频范围大等优势,它的出现标志着产生光梳迈向芯片级尺寸的时代,并引起了科学界和工业界越来越多的关注.本文首先概述了微腔光梳的产生与发展历程,随后介绍微腔光梳在实际应用方面取得的进展,最后对微腔光梳当前的问题进行总结,并对未来发展进行展望.     

基于色散调控氟碲酸盐玻璃光纤的O-U波段平坦光频梳产生

光学频率梳（简称光频梳）作为一种优秀的多波长光源在通信领域具有巨大的应用潜力。通过将光频梳光源与波分复用技术（WDM）、空分复用技术结合（SDM）,通信系统可以具有百Tbit/s量级的传输速率,在5G/6G通信、物联网、自动驾驶等方面具有重要的应用价值。目前实现光频梳的方法主要有以下四种,分别为基于锁模激光器产生飞秒光频梳、基于光学微腔产生光频梳、基于电光调制器产生光频梳以及基于行波四波混频产生光频梳。它们各具特点,但均很难同时实现宽光谱、高信噪比、高平坦度、高的单梳齿功率以及梳齿频率间隔大范围可调,这在一定程度上影响了光频梳在光通信领域的应用。本文提出基于受激布里渊激光腔产生种子梳,采用腔外负色散光纤进行脉冲压缩,进一步利用色散调控的高非线性氟碲酸盐光纤进行扩谱,从而实现光频梳产生。数值计算结果表明,通过该系统,我们可以得到重复频率大范围可调、光谱覆盖整个O-U波段且在O-U波段梳齿强度标准差小于5 dB的平坦光频梳,证明了通过基于布里渊激光腔与色散调控高非线性氟碲酸盐光纤的光学系统产生可用于光通信的平坦光频梳的可行性。     

光纤飞秒光学频率梳的研制及绝对光学频率测量

实验利用商品光纤飞秒激光器,自行构建了一套完整的光学频率梳系统,并获得了约30 dB信噪比的系统频移(f_ceo)信号.实现了光频梳重复频率(f_rep)信号及系统频移(f_ceo)信号的高稳定度锁定,并通过实验验证了光频梳锁定的跟踪精度.基于此稳定光频梳完成了对1064 nm碘稳频Nd:YAG固体激光器的绝对频率测量.实验结果表明,f_rep的跟踪精度在100 s取样时间时优于3.7×10^-14,测量得到的1064 nm激光器绝对频率为:281630111757362 Hz.这一测量结果与国际计量委员会(CIPM)给出的国际推荐值符合到不确定度之内. 关键词： 光纤光频梳 稳频 锁相技术 光学频率计量     

全保偏双飞秒光纤光频梳系统的频率联动特性

采用跟踪反馈控制法,实现了双飞秒光频梳系统的频率联动,研究了主动光频梳自动扫频和手动扫频情况下,双光梳间的频率联动特性.结果显示,对主动光频梳进行自动扫频或手动扫频时,从动光频梳的频率跟随变化,且双光梳频率间的相关系数最大可达0.99,说明双光梳的频率间保持了较好的联动特性.最后,将频率联动的全保偏双光梳系统用于测距实验中,测量距离为1.332m,时间间隔为0.2s,连续进行16次测量,测得数据的标准差为0.35μm,测量精度可达亚微米量级.     

1.5-μm波段25-GHz重频亚皮秒脉冲输出半导体锁模激光器(特邀)

针对高速光采样、光频梳以及光通信系统应用,研制了1.5μm波段高重频超短脉冲输出半导体锁模激光器.基于AlGaInAs/InP材料体系,采用两段式单片集成锁模结构,引入稀释波导结构,综合降低光限制因子、提升材料饱和能量、降低腔内损耗,从而降低有源区色散对脉冲的影响并提升脉冲峰值功率,最终在1.5μm波段实现了重复频率2...     

超稳光生微波源研究进展

随着科技的进步以及精密测量应用技术的不断提高,超稳微波源的稳定度和噪声水平等技术要求不断提高,应用范围愈加广泛,包括高性能频标研究、网络雷达研制、深空导航系统等方面.基于超稳激光和飞秒光梳的超稳光生微波源是目前频率稳定度最高的微波频率源,相对频率稳定度可达10~(16)@1 s量级.该装置也是未来频率标准(光频标)推广应用的基础,无论是时间的产生还是绝大多数的精密测量,都需要将光频标的输出激光变换为超稳的基带频率信号后才能够实现.本文介绍了超稳光生微波源技术的发展、现状和应用需求.以国家授时中心研制的国内首套超稳微波频率源技术为主线,介绍了超稳光生微波源的原理和结构以及各组成部分的技术发展情况:超稳激光方面,着重介绍超稳光学腔研究和研制的进展以及Pound-Drever-Hall锁频技术、剩余幅度调制等噪声抑制技术;飞秒光梳方面,着重介绍目前最常用的掺铒光纤光梳系统的激光锁模、频率控制等技术发展;低噪声光电探测方面,着重介绍宽带光电探测噪声抑制技术和激光幅度噪声引起微波相位噪声的抑制技术.最后对光生超稳微波技术进行了总结和展望.     

面向Li原子D1线频率测量应用的掺铒飞秒光纤光梳系统

报道了自主研制的面向Li原子D1线频率测量应用的掺铒飞秒光纤光学频率梳,包括飞秒激光源,频率探测及控制单元,光谱展宽及拍频单元.光纤光梳系统中飞秒激光光源是一套基于非线性偏振旋转锁模机制的掺铒飞秒光纤激光器,重复频率为196.5MHz,中心波长为1 572nm.利用f-2f法探测载波包络相移频率,获得信噪比约为40dB的信号(分辨率带宽300kHz).改变飞秒激光光源泵浦控制载波包络相移频率、频率稳定度是3.74×10-18/τ1/2;通过电光晶体和压电陶瓷改变飞秒激光光源腔长来控制重复频率frep、频率稳定度是1.75×10-13/τ1/2.利用高非线性光纤和倍频晶体将光纤光梳直接输出光谱由1 520～1 607nm扩展到671nm,获得了单模功率为208nW的光信号.与671nm单频激光拍频产生约为60dB(分辨率带宽1Hz)信号,满足Li原子D1线频率测量实验的需求.     

双重复频率锁模Yb:YAG陶瓷激光器

近年来,双重复频率锁模激光器在诸如双光梳光谱和异步光学采样等应用领域吸引了广泛关注.基于单一激光腔的双梳系统能大大降低成本,简化系统结构,且性能优异.双重复频率锁模激光器为发展紧凑型和实用型双梳装置开辟了道路.本文报道了一种可用作双光梳光谱系统光源的双重复频率锁模Yb:YAG陶瓷激光器.该激光器基于半导体可饱和吸收镜锁模技术,采用双通道抽运结构,利用新型非水基流延成型制备的Yb:YAG透明陶瓷,在单一的五镜腔中,当吸收抽运光功率为5.6 W时,实现了自启动、稳定运转的双重复频率锁模脉冲Pulse1和Pulse2,其重复频率分别为448.918和448.923 MHz,重复频率差为5 kHz.在吸收抽运功率为7 W时,得到最大的总平均输出功率170 mW,其中Pulse1和Pulse2的功率分别为89和81 mW,相应的光谱宽度分别为1和1.16 nm.性能相似的双重复频率脉冲彼此间保持了良好的相干性,实验结果证明了双通道抽运在双重复频率锁模激光器应用中的可行性,此种新型双重复频率激光器在双光梳光谱和测距等领域具有较好的应用潜力.     

Broad-spectrum frequency comb generation and carrier-envelope offset frequency measurement by second-harmonic generation of a mode-locked fiber laser

A frequency comb spanning more than one octave has been achieved by injecting the second-harmonic generation (780 nm) of a mode-locked fiber laser (1.56 microm) into a photonic crystal fiber. We propose and realize a novel interferometric scheme for observing the carrier-envelope offset frequency of the frequency comb. Frequency noise has been observed on the measured carrier-envelope offset frequency, which has been confirmed to be generated in the photonic crystal fiber by comparing the measured beat frequencies between cw lasers and frequency combs before and after the photonic crystal fiber. The mode-locked fiber laser is considered to be an important candidate for the light source used in realizing a compact optical frequency measurement system including applications in the telecommunication bands.     

Fiber-based optical frequency comb at 3.3 μm for broadband spectroscopy of hydrocarbons [Invited]

A 125 MHz fiber-based frequency comb source in the mid-infrared wavelength region is presented. The source is based on difference frequency generation from a polarization-maintaining Er-doped fiber pump laser and covers a spectrum between2900 cm~(-1) and 3400 cm~(-1) with a simultaneous bandwidth of 170 cm~(-1) and an average output power up to 70 m W. The source is equipped with actuators and active feedback loops, ensuring long-term stability of the repetition rate, output power, and spectral envelope. An absorption spectrum of ethane and methane was measured using a Fourier transform spectrometer to verify the applicability of the mid-infrared comb to multispecies detection. The robustness and good long-and short-term stability of the source make it suitable for optical frequency comb spectroscopy of hydrocarbons.     

Passively mode-locked 10 GHz femtosecond Ti:sapphire laser

We report a mode-locked Ti:sapphire femtosecond laser emitting 42 fs pulses at a 10 GHz repetition rate. When operated with a spectrally integrated average power greater than 1 W, the associated femtosecond laser frequency comb contains approximately 500 modes, each with power exceeding 1 mW. Spectral broadening in nonlinear microstructured fiber yields comb elements with individual powers greater than 1 nW over approximately 250 nm of spectral bandwidth. The modes of the emitted comb are resolved and imaged with a simple grating spectrometer and digital camera. Combined with absorption spectroscopy of rubidium vapor, this approach permits identification of the mode index and measurement of the carrier envelope offset frequency of the comb.     

Linewidth and tuning characteristics of terahertz quantum cascade lasers

We have measured the spectral linewidths of three continuous-wave quantum cascade lasers operating at terahertz frequencies by heterodyning the free-running quantum cascade laser with two far-infrared gas lasers. Beat notes are detected with a GaAs diode mixer and a microwave spectrum analyzer, permitting very precise frequency measurements and giving instantaneous linewidths of less than -30 kHz. Characteristics are also reported for frequency tuning as the injection current is varied.     

Self-referencable frequency comb from a 170-fs, 1.5-μm solid-state laser oscillator

We report measurement of the first carrier-envelope offset (CEO) frequency signal from a spectrally broadened ultrafast solid-state laser oscillator operating in the 1.5 μm spectral region. The f-to-2f CEO frequency beat signal is 49 dB above the noise floor (100-kHz resolution bandwidth) and the free-running linewidth of 3.6 kHz is significantly better than typically obtained by ultrafast fiber laser systems. We used a SESAM mode-locked Er:Yb:glass laser generating 170-fs pulses at a 75 MHz pulse repetition rate with 110-mW average power. It is pumped by one standard telecom-grade 980-nm diode consuming less than 1.5 W of electrical power. Without any further pulse compression and amplification, a coherent octave-spanning frequency comb is generated in a polarization-maintaining highly-nonlinear fiber (PM-HNLF). The fiber length was optimized to yield a strong CEO frequency beat signal between the outer Raman soliton and the spectral peak of the dispersive wave within the supercontinuum. The polarization-maintaining property of the supercontinuum fiber was crucial; comparable octave-spanning supercontinua from two non-PM fibers showed higher intensity noise and poor coherence. A stable CEO-beat was observed even with pulse durations above 200 fs. Achieving a strong CEO frequency signal from relatively long pulses with moderate power levels substantially relaxes the demands on the driving laser, which is particularly important for novel gigahertz diode-pumped solid-state and semiconductor lasers.     

Generation of flat optical frequency comb by fiber loop modulation

We propose a novel flat optical frequency comb generation system that employs fiber loop modulation and experimentally demonstrate its operation. Generally, when an external laser beam is injected into a fiber loop system including an optical modulator and an amplifying medium, multiple sidebands are generated exponentially. On the other hand, the fiber loop starts mode-locked oscillation at a center frequency to maximize the round-trip gain in the fiber loop from the seeds of the injected laser sidebands. By locking the sidebands from fiber loop modulation with the mode-locked oscillation in the fiber loop, the synchronous spectrum between the mode-locked oscillation and the sidebands can be shaped into a flat spectrum. Thus, a flat optical frequency comb with a flatness of about ±1 dB is obtained in the spectral bandwidth of about 1 THz.     

飞秒光学频率梳高精度气体吸收光谱技术进展

飞秒光学频率梳以其频谱宽、脉宽窄、频率稳定度高等优点,对光学频率计量、绝对距离测量、高精度光谱测定产生重大影响。飞秒光学频率梳的时域特性和频域特性溯源至微波频率基准,使得高精度气体吸收光谱探测成为可能。飞秒光学频率梳光谱技术具有测量速度快、光谱灵敏度高、分辨率高、信噪比高等优点,因此加大对飞秒光学频率梳光谱技术的研究力度将更好地服务于环境保护、工业生产、生物医学、科学研究等各领域。飞秒光频梳高精度气体吸收光谱主要可分为光频梳腔衰荡光谱、光频梳腔增强光谱和双光频梳多外差光谱。其中,根据采集方式不同,光频梳腔增强光谱又可分为梳齿游标测量法、虚拟成像相位阵列测量法和傅里叶变换测量法。目前,国外已广泛开展相关研究,而国内仍处于起步阶段。本文综述了飞秒光学频率梳高精度气体吸收光谱探测的主要技术方法,展示了不同测量方法典型的实验方案,分析了各探测方法的优缺点,并追踪了主要研究小组的前沿成果。     

奇异谱分析用于提升双光梳激光测距精度

从含噪数据中提取信号从而提升数据采集系统精度是极为重要的问题.奇异谱分析(singular spectrum analysis,SSA)作为一种无参数频谱估计技术,广泛用于区分系统模型未知情况下的动态系统信号的复杂成分.本文应用SSA方法提取双光梳飞秒激光测距系统中的含噪时间序列的距离信息,数值仿真显示SSA方法可以从含有有色噪声的信号中提取距离信号.实验中,SSA方法成功地从含有量子噪声的测距信号中提取出激光与目标之间的距离信息,提取后的信号有13倍的精度提升.这种方法同样适用于高维信号,如基于飞秒激光测距的高精度、高速率表面形貌测量的图像提取.