Open AccessBreaking the Femtosecond Barrier in Multi-Kilometer Timing Synchronization Systems
Author(s) -
Ming Xin,
Kemal Safak,
Michael Y. Peng,
Aram Kalaydzhyan,
Patrick T. Callahan,
Wenting Wang,
Oliver D. Mucke,
Franz X. Kartner
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
ieee journal of selected topics in quantum electronics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.131
H-Index - 159
eISSN - 1558-4542
pISSN - 1077-260X
DOI - 10.1109/jstqe.2016.2614676
Subject(s) - engineered materials, dielectrics and plasmas , photonics and electrooptics
To observe electronic dynamics in atoms, molecules, and condensed matter taking place on an attosecond time scale, next-generation photon science facilities like X-ray free-electron lasers and intense laser beamlines require system-wide attosecond-level synchronization of dozens of optical and microwave signals up to kilometer distances. Here, we present for the first time a timing synchronization system that can meet the strict timing requirements of such large-scale facilities. We discuss some key enabling technologies including master-laser jitter characterization, local timing synchronization, new designs of attosecond-precision timing/phase detectors, and analyze fundamental noise contributions in nonlinear pulse propagation in fiber links. Finally, a complete 4.7-km laser-microwave network with 950-as timing jitter is realized over tens of hours of continuous operation.