Optical clock distribution using integrated free-space optics

The design and experimental results of an optical clock distribution system based on integrated free-space micro-optics are reported. Planar optical components such as lenses, beamsplitters, and mirrors, are monolithically integrated on a single glass substrate to provide a stable and compact system. A single input beam is split and distributed evenly to N output positions using a binary tree of beamsplitters. The experiment shown demonstrates the principle idea for a system with a fanout of eight. Theoretical considerations show that a fanout of 64 or larger is feasible.