Frequency comb-to-comb stabilization over a 1.3-km free-space atmospheric optical link

Light Sci Appl. 2022 Aug 12;11(1):253. doi: 10.1038/s41377-022-00940-3.

Abstract

Stabilizing a frequency comb to an ultra-stable optical frequency reference requires a multitude of optoelectronic peripherals that have to operate under strict ambient control. Meanwhile, the frequency comb-to-comb stabilization aims to synchronize a slave comb to a well-established master comb with a substantial saving in required equipment and efforts. Here, we report an utmost case of frequency comb-to-comb stabilization made through a 1.3 km free-space optical (FSO) link by coherent transfer of two separate comb lines along with a feedback suppression control of atmospheric phase noise. The FSO link offers a transfer stability of 1.7 × 10-15 at 0.1 s averaging, while transporting the master comb's stability of 1.2 × 10-15 at 1.0 s over the entire spectrum of the slave comb. Our remote comb-to-comb stabilization is intended to expedite diverse long-distance ground-to-ground or ground-to-satellite applications; as demonstrated here for broadband molecular spectroscopy over a 6 THz bandwidth as well as ultra-stable microwaves generation with phase noise of -80 dBc Hz-1 at 1 Hz.

Grants and funding