Open AccessSimple method to determine dispersion of high-finesse optical cavities
Author(s) -
T. J. Hammond,
Andrew Mills,
David J. Jones
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.17.008998
Subject(s) - finesse , optics , dispersion (optics) , femtosecond , optical cavity , materials science , physics , fabry–pérot interferometer , laser
We present a simple and quick, yet accurate method to measure the dispersion of high finesse optical cavities. By exciting the cavity with a femtosecond frequency comb and measuring the resonance condition as a function of optical frequency, the cavity's dispersion can be determined with minimal uncertainty. Measurement results are presented from an evacuated reference cavity with low group delay dispersion as well as several differential, intra-cavity measurements of well known optical materials demonstrating the dynamic range and accuracy of this technique.