Coherence transfer of subhertz-linewidth laser light via an optical fiber noise compensated by remote users.

Abstract

We present a technique for the coherence transfer of laser light through a fiber link, where the optical phase noise induced by environmental perturbation via the fiber link is compensated by remote users. When compensating the fiber noise by remote users, the time base at the remote site independent from that at the local site does not destroy the performance of the fiber output light. Using this technique, we demonstrate the transfer of subhertz-linewidth laser light through a 25-km-long, lab-based spooled fiber. After being compensated, the relative linewidth between the fiber input and output light is 1mHz, and the relative frequency instability is 4×10-17 at 1s averaging time and scales down to 2×10-19 at 800s averaging time. The frequency uncertainty of the light after transferring through the fiber relative to that of the input light is 3.0×10-19. This system is suitable for the simultaneous transfer of an optical signal to a number of end users within a city.