Analog FM free-space optical communication based on a mid-infrared quantum cascade laser frequency comb

Opt Express. 2022 Mar 28;30(7):10217-10228. doi: 10.1364/OE.443483.

Abstract

Quantum cascade laser frequency combs are nowadays well-appreciated sources for infrared spectroscopy. Here their applicability for free-space optical communication is demonstrated. The spontaneously-generated intermodal beat note of the frequency comb is used as carrier for transferring the analog signal via frequency modulation. Exploiting the atmospheric transparency window at 4 µm, an optical communication with a signal-to-noise ratio up to 65 dB is realized, with a modulation bandwidth of 300 kHz. The system tolerates a maximum optical attenuation exceeding 35 dB. The possibility of parallel transmission of an independent digital signal via amplitude modulation at 5 Mbit/s is also demonstrated.