Tuning and mode characteristics of the C.W. InSb spin-flip Raman laser determined by use of a Fabry-Perot interferometer

A simple variable length (10–50 cm) air-spaced Fabry-Perot interferometer has been used to calibrate the tuning characteristics of a c.w. InSb spin-flip Raman laser (SFRL). The SFRL output frequency is determined by competition between the spontaneous spin-flip resonance line and the cavity axial modes of the InSb crystal. Over several cavity modes the SRFL is found to tune linearly within ±250 MHz and inside a single mode to ±50 MHz. The tuning rate over several modes is found to be 2.35 cm^-1/kgauss and within a single mode the tuning rate is 1.80 cm^-1/kgauss. Frequency jumps of ≈500 MHz between modes are inferred. Used in conjunction with the observation of known molecular absorption lines as frequency standards, the interferometer provides a calibration of the SFRL suitable for infra-red Doppler limited spectroscopy. of gases. The observed frequency asymmetry in the SFRL output power and the non-linear tuning rate (variable from ≈70-40 MHz/gauss) over a single axial mode show plane-wave cavity theory to be inadequate. These effects can be explained by considering gain controlled refraction induced by a pump beam of gaussian profile. The near resonant dispersion of the refractive index of InSb is inferred from a measurement of the spacing between adjacent peaks in the SFRL output.     

基于半导体光纤环形腔激光器的新型全光AND门和NOR门

提出了一种新型的基于半导体光纤环形腔激光器(SFRL)中同时发生的四波混频效应和交叉增益调制效应同时实现全光AND门和NOR门方案，并建立了这种全光逻辑门完整的宽带理论模型.通过数值模拟的方法，研究了输入信号光峰值功率及SFRL中两个耦合器的耦合比对这种全光逻辑门输出特性的影响. 关键词： 半导体光纤环形腔激光器 全光逻辑门 四波混频 交叉增益调制     

可调谐半导体环形激光器与FWM全光波长变换实验研究

优化设计半导体光纤环形激光器(SFRL)产生波长连续可调谐窄线宽的激光输出,可调谐范围为40nm,利用半导体光放大器(SOA)的非线性效应四波混频(FWM),实现了码速为2.5Gb/sSDH信号光的波长变换,向上变换7.07nm,向下变换19.49nm.在实验中不需要外加泵浦光源.     

The external-resonator cw spin-flip Raman laser; output characteristics and spectroscopic applications

The characteristics of a stable, external-resonator spin-flip Raman laser (SFRL), pumped by a cw carbon monoxide laser of controlled mode quality and spectral content, are determined using a combination of molecular spectroscopy, Raman amplifier and confocal Fabry-Perot interferometer measurements, and heterodyne detection. Single-frequency output of a free-running external-resonator is demonstrated with an inherent linewidth of <10 kHz and a short-term frequency jitter of ≃100 kHz. With the resonator length actively controlled to lock an axial mode frequency to the peak of the spontaneous gain, the linewidth of the SFRL output was maintained below 2 MHz. In this mode of operation, small variations in the output tuning rate, corresponding to the magnetic field dependence of the conduction-electrong-factor, were calibrated. Molecular absorption spectra obtained using gas cells both inside and outside the resonator have been used to illustrate the high resolution, wide-range tuning capability and sensitivity of the system. Lambda-doubling of the of the Q-branch head of nitric oxide was measured for values ofJ down to 13/2, below which the splitting is less than the Doppler width. The splittings agreed with predictions using parameters obtained by conventional spectra for higherJ-values.     

基于SFRL的FWM型可调谐波长转换器啁啾特性分析

基于半导体光纤环形腔激光器的四波混频型可调谐全光波长转换器的宽带理论模型,从理论上研究了输入信号光功率、注入电流、两个耦合器的耦合比、激射光波长和半导体光放大器有源区长度对转换光频率啁啾的影响.结果表明:转换光的频率啁啾随着输入信号光峰值功率、注入电流以及SOA有源区长度的增大而增大,随两个耦合器耦合比的增大而减小.     

Coarse and Fine Control of the EPR Frequency of a Loop-Gap Resonator Using a Single-Turn Coil with a Varactor Diode Attached

Coarse control and fine control of the resonant frequency of a loop-gap resonator (LGR) operating at an electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) frequency of ca. 650 MHz were achieved using a single-turn coil with a varactor diode attached (a frequency shift coil). When the distance between the LGR and the frequency shift coil was changed from 15 to 10 mm under the condition of constant voltage to the varactor diode (0 V), a shift of the resonant frequency of the LGR of ca. 20 MHz was observed (coarse frequency control). When the voltage applied to the varactor diode was changed from 0 to 15 V at the same distance between the LGR and the frequency shift coil (10 mm), a shift of the resonant frequency of the LGR of ca. 200 kHz was observed (fine frequency control). There were no significant changes in sensitivity of EPR measurements of a phantom (comprised of agar with a nitroxide radical and physiological saline solution) without and with the frequency shift coil. The EPR sensitivity did not change discernibly when the resonant frequency was shifted by the frequency shift coil. Furthermore, radio-frequency phase adjustment for homodyne detection could be performed by using the frequency shift coil without applying frequency modulation to the carrier wave.     

线性调频Z变换在舱音背景声的特征频率分析中的应用

舱音背景声特征频率的确定是调查失事飞机事故原因的重要依据之一。基于舱音译码辨听和音频分析的传统方法难以准确获得舱音背景声的特征频率。本文提出采用基于FFT的线性Z变换(CZT)来获取舱音背景声的特征频率的新方法,该方法适用于高采样频率的信号,计算中可以调整频率的分辨率,增加了FFT和频谱分析的灵活性。通过仿真和对用舱音记录器测录的真实舱音背景声计算分析得出:CZT方法是一种适合于确定舱音背景声特征频率的实用、有效方法,用以区分不同舱音在频率上的差别,满足飞机事故原因调查的需要。     

频率注入锁定的超再生NQR谱仪

本文首先简述超再生振荡器的频率注入锁定的基本原理,然后介绍一台频率注入锁定的超再生NQR谱仪的工作原理。该谱仪的频稳度高(10^-4-10^-5),频率测量方便,检测谱线线型失真小,可用来观察样品的NQR纯色散和纯吸收谱。文中还给出用本谱仪检测的氯酸钠(NaClO₃)粉末中的³⁵Cl核的NQR纯吸收谱和纯色散谱。     

A photonic approach for microwave/millimeter-wave frequency measurement using stimulated brillouin scattering in single mode fiber

A photonic approach for microwave/millimeter-wave (MMW) frequency measurement is proposed and demonstrated based on stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) of a 20-km standard single mode fiber (SSMF). After the MMW signal is modulated to a laser source with two sidebands using optical carrier suppression (OCS) modulation, its frequency can be easily measured by monitoring the SBS-induced amplification with a power meter. Due to the 1-pm resolution of a tunable pump laser source, a frequency measurement range of 1–40 GHz is demonstrated in our experiment with a frequency resolution of 125 MHz. We believe the frequency measurement range can be further extended to satisfy photonic radar front-end processing application.     

Effects of Temporal Frequency and Contrast on Spatial Frequency Characteristics for Disparity Threshold

We measured disparity threshold for identifying the depth direction as a function of spatial frequency with various temporal frequencies and stimulus contrasts using drifting gratings. The results showed that disparity threshold depended little on temporal frequency with the exception of high temporal frequencies (≥ 10Hz) independently of stimulus contrast. Contrary to temporal frequency, contrast substantially influenced spatial frequency characteristics. The disparity threshold was approximately constant with change in spatial frequency with slight increase at high spatial frequencies for contrasts higher than 0.2 when the threshold is expressed by phase difference between the left and right eye images (phase disparity). The phase disparity threshold had a negative peak at a spatial frequency between 1 and 5c/deg (band-pass) for contrasts lower than 0.2. We discuss possible differences in the underlying mechanisms to determine disparity threshold below and above temporal frequency of 10 Hz.     

利用非锁定飞秒激光实现太赫兹频率的精密测量

频率是电磁波最重要的一个基本物理量,随着THz技术的发展,在光源研制、宽带通信、超精细光谱测量等领域都对THz频率的高精度侧量提出了要求.传统的Fabry-Perot干涉法与外差探测法难以实现THz频率的高精度测量,频率梳方法虽然测量精度很高,但测量系统复杂.本文提出一种利用重复频率自由漂移的飞秒激光器实现太赫兹频率精密测量的新方法.通过对非锁定的飞秒激光器的重复频率和THz拍频频率进行同时连续采集与计算,得到被测THz频率,测量精度可以达到10~(-10)量级无需对飞秒激光重复频率进行复杂的锁定控制,测量系统大大简化.     

Fluid pressure measurement using bubbles insonified by two frequencies

The double frequency method, where bubbles rising through a fluid are illuminated simultaneously with a ‘pump’ frequency swept through the resonance frequency range and a megahertz imaging frequency, is used to measure pressure changes in fluids non-invasively. The bubble echo spectrum is centred at the imaging frequency with side bands at separations equal to the pump frequency. If the ambient pressure is changed, the bubbles undergo changes in their sizes. This would alter the resonant frequency of the bubble and hence the peak of the echo at the sum (or difference) frequency. By observing shifts in the frequency of the peak amplitude of the side bands it is shown that fluid pressure changes can be measured accurately.     

The time required to focus on a cued signal frequency

How quickly can a listener focus on a single tonal cue that indicates the frequency of an upcoming signal? Initial measurements were made with frequency uncertainty (signal frequency varies randomly from trial to trial) and with certainty (same frequency on all trials). Measured by a yes-no procedure, thresholds for 40- and 20-ms signals presented in continuous broadband noise at 50 dB SPL were higher in uncertainty than in certainty; the difference decreased monotonically from 5 dB at frequencies below 500 Hz to under 3 dB above about 2500 Hz. This decrease in the detrimental effect from uncertainty, which comes about with increasing signal frequency, may result from preferential attention to higher frequencies. In a second experiment, frequency again varied randomly, but each trial now began with a cue at the signal frequency. The critical variable was the delay from cue onset to signal onset. A delay of 352 ms eliminated the detrimental effect of frequency uncertainty at all frequencies. At the shortest delays of 52 and 82 ms the detrimental effect was reduced primarily at lower frequencies. Our analysis suggests that shifting focus to a cued frequency region, under optimal stimulus conditions, requires less than 52 ms.     

Frequency resolution and discrimination of constant and dynamic tones in normal and hearing-impaired listeners

Frequency resolution and three tasks of frequency discrimination were measured at 500 and 4000 Hz in 12 normal and 12 hearing-impaired listeners. A three-interval, two-alternative forced-choice procedure was used. Frequency resolution was measured with an abbreviated psychoacoustical tuning curve. Frequency discrimination was measured for (1) a fixed-frequency standard and target, (2) a fixed-frequency standard and a frequency-transition target, and (3) frequency-transition standard and a frequency-transition target. The 50-ms frequency transitions had the same final frequency as the standards, but the initial frequency was lowered to obtain about 79% discrimination performance. There was a strong relationship between poor frequency resolution and elevated pure-tone thresholds, but only a very weak relationship between poor frequency discrimination and elevated pure-tone thresholds. Several hearing-impaired listeners had normal discrimination performance together with pure-tone thresholds of 80-90 dB HL. A slight correlation was found between word recognition and frequency discrimination, but a detailed comparison of the phonetic errors and either the frequency-discrimination or frequency-resolution tasks failed to suggest any consistent interdependencies. These results are consistent with previous work that has suggested that frequency resolution and frequency discrimination are independent processes.     

Detection thresholds for sinusoidal frequency modulation

An adaptive forced-choice procedure was used to measure, in four normal-hearing subjects, detection thresholds for sinusoidal frequency modulation as a function of carrier frequency (fc, from 250 to 4000 Hz) and modulation frequency (fmod. from 1 to 64 Hz). The results show that, for a wide range of fmod values, fc and fmod have almost independent effects on the thresholds when the thresholds are expressed as just-noticeable frequency swings and plotted on a log scale. In two subjects, the effect of fc on the thresholds was compared to the effect of standard frequency on the frequency just noticeable differences (jnd's) of successive and steady tones. In agreement with previous data [H. Fastl, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 63, 275-277 (1978)], it was found that the two effects are significantly different if the frequency jnd's are measured with long-duration tones. However, it was also found that the two effects are similar if the frequency jnd's are measured with 25-ms tones. These results support the idea that, at least for low fmod values, the detection of continuous and periodic frequency modulations is mediated by a pitch-sampling process using a temporal window of about 25 ms.     

Direct comparison of two cold-atom-based optical frequency standards by using a femtosecond-laser comb

With a fiber-broadened, femtosecond-laser frequency comb, the 76-THz interval between two laser-cooled optical frequency standards was measured with a statistical uncertainty of 2x10(-13) in 5 s , to our knowledge the best short-term instability thus far reported for an optical frequency measurement. One standard is based on the calcium intercombination line at 657 nm, and the other, on the mercury ion electric-quadrupole transition at 282 nm. By linking this measurement to the known Ca frequency, we report a new frequency value for the Hg(+) clock transition with an improvement in accuracy of ~10(5) compared with its best previous measurement.     

Frequency stability measurement of a transfer-cavity-stabilized diode laser by using an optical frequency comb

We report results of frequency stability measurements of an extended cavity diode laser (ECDL) whose frequency is stabilized by a non-evacuated scanning transfer cavity. The transfer cavity is locked to a commercial frequency stabilized helium–neon laser. Frequency stability is measured by use of an optical frequency comb. The environmental perturbations (variations of temperature, air pressure, and humidity) are also simultaneously measured. The observed frequency drift of the ECDL is well explained by environmental perturbations. An atmospheric pressure variation, which is difficult to control with a non-evacuated cavity, is mainly affected to the frequency stability. Thus we put the cavity into a simple O-ring sealed (non-evacuated) tube. With this simple O-ring sealed tube, the frequency drift is reduced by a factor of 3, and the Allan variance reaches a value of 2.4×10⁻¹⁰, corresponds to the frequency stability of 83 kHz, at the average time of 3000 s. Since the actual frequency drift is well estimated by simultaneous measurement of the ambient temperature, pressure, and humidity, a feed-forward compensation of frequency drifts is also feasible in order to achieve a higher frequency stability with a simple non-evacuated transfer cavity.     

Parametric frequency transformation in a superconducting waveguide line with an integrated Josephson oscillator

The parametric frequency division in a coplanar waveguide line with an integrated single-contact rf SQUID (Josephson oscillator) is discussed. It is assumed that the oscillator is excited by pump pulses whose carrier frequency can be a multiple of the plasma frequency of the oscillator. It is shown that the Josephson oscillator excited at the pump frequency can induce frequency division by emitting subharmonics that are multiples of the fundamental frequency (fractional resonances). Parameters for which parametric frequency transformation occurs are determined. The possible generalization of this effect to the quantum case in which correlated microwave photons (entangled photon states) can be generated is discussed.     

声光偏频亚多普勒光谱无调制激光频率锁定

将激光器锁定到合适的参考频率标准上 ,可以有效地改善激光器的频率稳定性。采用两个声光调制器(AOM) ,使铯原子D2 线饱和吸收光谱分别发生Ω±Δ绝对频移 ;通过改变射频压控振荡器 (RFVCO)的Vf 端口直流电压调节相对频移间隔Δ ,当相对频率间隔选择合适时两信号相减得到了类色散型鉴频曲线。实验中实现了85 2nm光栅外腔半导体激光器相对于铯原子D2 线6S1/2 F =4 6P3 /2 F′ =5超精细跃迁线 (中心频率ν0 )的无调制偏频锁定 (锁定后中心频率ν0 +Ω ,偏频量为Ω)。由闭环锁定后的误差信号估计 ,5 0s内典型的频率起伏小于± 2 70kHz ,较相同时间段内激光器自由运转时的频率起伏 14MHz有显著的改善。该方法可避免对激光器直接进行频率调制的常规饱和吸收锁频方案所引入的额外频率噪声和强度噪声。     

Optical frequency synthesizer for precision spectroscopy

We have used the frequency comb generated by a femtosecond mode-locked laser and broadened to more than an optical octave in a photonic crystal fiber to realize a frequency chain that links a 10 MHz radio frequency reference phase-coherently in one step to the optical region. By comparison with a similar frequency chain we set an upper limit for the uncertainty of this new approach to 5. 1x10(-16). This opens the door for measurement and synthesis of virtually any optical frequency and is ready to revolutionize frequency metrology.