1-GHz repetition rate femtosecond OPO with stabilized offset between signal and idler frequency combs

Opt Express. 2008 Apr 14;16(8):5397-405. doi: 10.1364/oe.16.005397.

Abstract

We report an optical parametric oscillator (OPO) based on periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) that is synchronously pumped by a femtosecond Ti:sapphire laser at 1 GHz repetition rate. The signal output has a center wavelength of 1558 nm and its spectral bandwidth amounts to 40 nm. The OPO operates in a regime where the signal- and idler frequency combs exhibit a partial overlap around 1600 nm. In this near-degeneracy region, a beat at the offset between the signal and idler frequency combs is detected. Phase-locking this beat to an external reference stabilizes the spectral envelopes of the signal- and idler output. At the same time, the underlying frequency combs are stabilized relative to each other with an instability of 1.5x10(-17) at 1 s gate time.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Computer Simulation
  • Computer-Aided Design*
  • Equipment Design
  • Equipment Failure Analysis
  • Filtration / instrumentation*
  • Lasers, Semiconductor*
  • Models, Theoretical*
  • Niobium / chemistry*
  • Niobium / radiation effects*
  • Oxides / chemistry*
  • Oxides / radiation effects*
  • Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted / instrumentation*

Substances

  • Oxides
  • Niobium
  • lithium niobate