Open AccessImplementation and characterization of a stable optical frequency distribution system
Author(s) -
Birgitta Bernhardt,
Theodor W. Hänsch,
Ronald Holzwarth
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.17.016849
Subject(s) - optics , optical fiber , allan variance , materials science , stability (learning theory) , frequency deviation , continuous wave , fiber laser , wavelength , laser , standard deviation , physics , computer science , telecommunications , automatic frequency control , mathematics , statistics , machine learning
An optical frequency distribution system has been developed that continuously delivers a stable optical frequency of 268 THz (corresponding to a wavelength of 1118 nm) to different experiments in our institute. For that purpose, a continuous wave (cw) fiber laser has been stabilized onto a frequency comb and distributed across the building by the use of a fiber network. While the light propagates through the fiber, acoustic and thermal effects counteract against the stability and accuracy of the system. However, by employing proper stabilization methods a stability of 2 x 10(-13) tau(-1/2) is achieved, limited by the available radio frequency (RF) reference. Furthermore, the issue of counter-dependant results of the Allan deviation was examined during the data evaluation.