Defining and measuring optical frequencies: the optical clock opportunity--and more (Nobel lecture)

Locking Multi-Laser Frequencies to a Precision Wavelength Meter: Application to Cold Atoms

We herein report a simultaneous frequency stabilization of two 780-nm external cavity diode lasers using a precision wavelength meter (WLM). The laser lock performance is characterized by the Allan deviation measurement in which we find σy=10-12 at an averaging time of 1000 s. We also obtain spectral profiles through a heterodyne spectroscopy, identifying the contribution of white and flicker noises to the laser linewidth. The frequency drift of the WLM is measured to be about 2.0(4) MHz over 36 h. Utilizing the two lasers as a cooling and repumping field, we demonstrate a magneto-optical trap of 87Rb atoms near a high-finesse optical cavity. Our laser stabilization technique operates at broad wavelength range without a radio frequency element.

Optical Frequency Combs in Quadratically Nonlinear Resonators

Optical frequency combs are one of the most remarkable inventions in recent decades. Originally conceived as the spectral counterpart of the train of short pulses emitted by mode-locked lasers, frequency combs have also been subsequently generated in continuously pumped microresonators, through third-order parametric processes. Quite recently, direct generation of optical frequency combs has been demonstrated in continuous-wave laser-pumped optical resonators with a second-order nonlinear medium inside. Here, we present a concise introduction to such quadratic combs and the physical mechanism that underlies their formation. We mainly review our recent experimental and theoretical work on formation and dynamics of quadratic frequency combs. We experimentally demonstrated comb generation in two configurations: a cavity for second harmonic generation, where combs are generated both around the pump frequency and its second harmonic and a degenerate optical parametric oscillator, where combs are generated around the pump frequency and its subharmonic. The experiments have been supported by a thorough theoretical analysis, aimed at modelling the dynamics of quadratic combs, both in frequency and time domains, providing useful insights into the physics of this new class of optical frequency comb synthesizers. Quadratic combs establish a new class of efficient frequency comb synthesizers, with unique features, which could enable straightforward access to new spectral regions and stimulate novel applications.

Enhancing entanglement detection of quantum optical frequency combs via stimulated emission

We investigate the performance of a certain nonclassicality identifier, expressed via integrated second-order intensity moments of optical fields, in revealing bipartite entanglement of quantum-optical frequency combs (QOFCs), which are generated in both spontaneous and stimulated parametric down-conversion processes. We show that, by utilizing that nonclassicality identifier, one can well identify the entanglement of the QOFC directly from the experimentally measured intensity moments without invoking any state reconstruction techniques or homodyne detection. Moreover, we demonstrate that the stimulated generation of the QOFC improves the entanglement detection of these fields with the nonclassicality identifier. Additionally, we show that the nonclassicality identifier can be expressed in a factorized form of detectors quantum efficiencies and the number of modes, if the QOFC consists of many copies of the same two-mode twin beam. As an example, we apply the nonclassicality identifier to two specific types of QOFC, where: (i) the QOFC consists of many independent two-mode twin beams with non-overlapped spatial frequency modes, and (ii) the QOFC contains entangled spatial frequency modes which are completely overlapped, i.e., each mode is entangled with all the remaining modes in the system. We show that, in both cases, the nonclassicality identifier can reveal bipartite entanglement of the QOFC including noise, and that it becomes even more sensitive for the stimulated processes.

Highly sensitive atomic based MW interferometry

We theoretically study a scheme to develop an atomic based micro-wave (MW) interferometry using the Rydberg states in Rb. Unlike the traditional MW interferometry, this scheme is not based upon the electrical circuits, hence the sensitivity of the phase and the amplitude/strength of the MW field is not limited by the Nyquist thermal noise. Further, this system has great advantage due to its much higher frequency range in comparision to the electrical circuit, ranging from radio frequency (RF), MW to terahertz regime. In addition, this is two orders of magnitude more sensitive to field strength as compared to the prior demonstrations on the MW electrometry using the Rydberg atomic states. Further, previously studied atomic systems are only sensitive to the field strength but not to the phase and hence this scheme provides a great opportunity to characterize the MW completely including the propagation direction and the wavefront. The atomic based MW interferometry is based upon a six-level loopy ladder system involving the Rydberg states in which two sub-systems interfere constructively or destructively depending upon the phase between the MW electric fields closing the loop. This work opens up a new field i.e. atomic based MW interferometry replacing the conventional electrical circuit in much superior fashion.

A clock network for geodesy and fundamental science

Leveraging the unrivalled performance of optical clocks as key tools for geo-science, for astronomy and for fundamental physics beyond the standard model requires comparing the frequency of distant optical clocks faithfully. Here, we report on the comparison and agreement of two strontium optical clocks at an uncertainty of 5 × 10⁻¹⁷ via a newly established phase-coherent frequency link connecting Paris and Braunschweig using 1,415 km of telecom fibre. The remote comparison is limited only by the instability and uncertainty of the strontium lattice clocks themselves, with negligible contributions from the optical frequency transfer. A fractional precision of 3 × 10⁻¹⁷ is reached after only 1,000 s averaging time, which is already 10 times better and more than four orders of magnitude faster than any previous long-distance clock comparison. The capability of performing high resolution international clock comparisons paves the way for a redefinition of the unit of time and an all-optical dissemination of the SI-second.

Comparing the frequency of two distant optical clocks will enable sensitive tests of fundamental physics. Here, the authors compare two strontium optical-lattice clocks 690 kilometres apart to a degree of accuracy that is limited only by the uncertainty of the individual clocks themselves.

Detecting Topological Defect Dark Matter Using Coherent Laser Ranging System

In the last few decades, optical frequency combs with high intensity, broad optical bandwidth, and directly traceable discrete wavelengths have triggered rapid developments in distance metrology. However, optical frequency combs to date have been limited to determine the absolute distance to an object (such as satellite missions). We propose a scheme for the detection of topological defect dark matter using a coherent laser ranging system composed of dual-combs and an optical clock via nongravitational signatures. The dark matter field, which comprises a defect, may interact with standard model particles, including quarks and photons, resulting in the alteration of their masses. Thus, a topological defect may function as a dielectric material with a distinctive frequency-depend index of refraction, which would cause the time delay of a periodic extraterrestrial or terrestrial light. When a topological defect passes through the Earth, the optical path of long-distance vacuum path is altered, this change in optical path can be detected through the coherent laser ranging system. Compared to continuous wavelength(cw) laser interferometry methods, dual-comb interferometry in our scheme excludes systematic misjudgement by measuring the absolute optical path length.

Smooth and flat phase-locked Kerr frequency comb generation by higher order mode suppression

High-Q microresonator is perceived as a promising platform for optical frequency comb generation, via dissipative soliton formation. In order to achieve a higher quality factor and obtain the necessary anomalous dispersion, multi-mode waveguides were previously implemented in Si₃N₄ microresonators. However, coupling between different transverse mode families in multi-mode waveguides results in periodic disruption of dispersion and quality factor, and consequently causes perturbation to dissipative soliton formation and amplitude modulation to the corresponding spectrum. Careful choice of pump wavelength to avoid the mode crossing region is thus critical in conventional Si₃N₄ microresonators. Here, we report a novel design of Si₃N₄ microresonator in which single-mode operation, high quality factor, and anomalous dispersion are attained simultaneously. The novel microresonator is consisted of uniform single-mode waveguides in the semi-circle region, to eliminate bending induced mode coupling, and adiabatically tapered waveguides in the straight region, to avoid excitation of higher order modes. The intrinsic quality factor of the microresonator reaches 1.36 × 10⁶ while the group velocity dispersion remains to be anomalous at −50 fs²/mm. With this novel microresonator, we demonstrate that broadband phase-locked Kerr frequency combs with flat and smooth spectra can be generated by pumping at any resonances in the optical C-band.

Frequency comb transferred by surface plasmon resonance

Frequency combs, millions of narrow-linewidth optical modes referenced to an atomic clock, have shown remarkable potential in time/frequency metrology, atomic/molecular spectroscopy and precision LIDARs. Applications have extended to coherent nonlinear Raman spectroscopy of molecules and quantum metrology for entangled atomic qubits. Frequency combs will create novel possibilities in nano-photonics and plasmonics; however, its interrelation with surface plasmons is unexplored despite the important role that plasmonics plays in nonlinear spectroscopy and quantum optics through the manipulation of light on a subwavelength scale. Here, we demonstrate that a frequency comb can be transformed to a plasmonic comb in plasmonic nanostructures and reverted to the original frequency comb without noticeable degradation of <6.51 × 10⁻¹⁹ in absolute position, 2.92 × 10⁻¹⁹ in stability and 1 Hz in linewidth. The results indicate that the superior performance of a well-defined frequency comb can be applied to nanoplasmonic spectroscopy, quantum metrology and subwavelength photonic circuits.

Combining frequency combs and plasmonics promises highly precise timing and frequency standards in nanoscale devices. Here, the authors experimentally transfer a frequency comb to surface plasmons and then return it to its original comb form with little degradation.

Testing of a femtosecond pulse laser in outer space

We report a test operation of an Er-doped fibre femtosecond laser which was conducted for the first time in outer space. The fibre-based ultrashort pulse laser payload was designed to meet space-use requirements, undergone through ground qualification tests and finally launched into a low-earth orbit early in 2013. Test results obtained during a one-year mission lifetime confirmed stable mode-locking all the way through although the radiation induced attenuation (RIA) in the Er-doped gain fibre caused an 8.6% reduction in the output power. This successful test operation would help facilitate diverse scientific and technological applications of femtosecond lasers in space and earth atmosphere in the near future.

Testing of a femtosecond pulse laser in outer space

We report a test operation of an Er-doped fibre femtosecond laser which was conducted for the first time in outer space. The fibre-based ultrashort pulse laser payload was designed to meet space-use requirements, undergone through ground qualification tests and finally launched into a low-earth orbit early in 2013. Test results obtained during a one-year mission lifetime confirmed stable mode-locking all the way through although the radiation induced attenuation (RIA) in the Er-doped gain fibre caused an 8.6% reduction in the output power. This successful test operation would help facilitate diverse scientific and technological applications of femtosecond lasers in space and earth atmosphere in the near future.

Brief report: approaches to 31P-MRS in awake, non-sedated children with and without autism spectrum disorder

We piloted a suite of approaches aimed to facilitate a successful series of up to four brain and muscle (31)Phosphorus-Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ((31)P-MRS) scans performed in one session in 12 awake, non-sedated subjects (ages 6-18), 6 with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and 6 controls. We targeted advanced preparation, parental input, physical comfort, short scan protocols, allocation of extra time, and subject emotional support. 100% of subjects completed at least one brain scan and one leg muscle scan: 42 of 46 attempted scans were completed (91%), with failures dominated by exercise muscle scans (completed in 6/6 controls but 3/6 cases). One completed scan lacked usable data unrelated to subject/scan procedure (orthodonture affected a frontal brain scan). As a group, these methods provide a foundation for conduct and enhancement of future MR studies in pediatric subjects with ASD.