Noise In Mode-locked Lasers Research Articles

Impact of Laser Intensity Noise on Dual-Comb Absolute Ranging Precision.

Noise in mode-locked lasers has been a central issue for dual-comb metrological applications. In this work, we investigate the laser intensity noise on dual-comb absolute ranging precision. Two different dual-comb schemes based on linear optical sampling (LOS) and nonlinear asynchronous optical sampling (ASOPS) have been constructed. In the LOS scheme, the ranging precision deteriorates with the increase in laser relative intensity noise (RIN). This effect can be corrected by implementing a balanced photo-detection (BPD). In the ASOPS scheme, the experiment shows that the conversion from laser RIN to dual-comb ranging precision is negligible, making a balanced detection unnecessary for ranging precision improvement. The different manners of RIN’s impact on absolute ranging precision are attributed to the distinct cross-correlation signal patterns and the underlying time-of-flight (TOF) extraction algorithms.

Noise Measurement and Reduction in Mode-Locked Lasers: Fundamentals for Low-Noise Optical Frequency Combs

After five decades of development, mode-locked lasers have become significant building blocks for many optical systems in scientific research, industry, and biomedicine. Advances in noise measurement and reduction are motivated for both shedding new light on the fundamentals of realizing ultra-low-noise optical frequency combs and their extension to potential applications for standards, metrology, clock comparison, and so on. In this review, the theoretical models of noise in mode-locked lasers are first described. Then, the recent techniques for timing jitter, carrier-envelope phase noise, and comb-line noise measurement and their stabilization are summarized. Finally, the potential of the discussed technology to be fulfilled in novel optical frequency combs, such as electro-optic (EO) modulated combs, microcombs, and quantum cascade laser (QCL) combs, is envisioned.

Spontaneous emission noise in mode-locked lasers and frequency combs

Amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) causes fluctuations of pulse energy, of the optical phase and of the timing of the pulse intensity envelope in a mode-locked laser or frequency comb. Starting from the assumption of one ASE photon per longitudinal laser mode and roundtrip, we rederive analytic equations for the three fundamental types of quantum noise in a laser. To this end, we analyze the interference of the coherent intracavity field and a spectrally localized ASE photon as a function of wavelength and phase of the latter. Performing an integration over all wavelengths and phases and taking stochastic noise into account, we compute ASE-induced jitters for all quantities considered. Continuing this approach, we then derive an expression for the resulting carrier-envelope phase noise of the comb, for which so far only numerical estimates exist. We further compute analytical estimates for ASE induced pulse chirp and duration variations and address the issue of resulting pulse contrast in a mode-locked laser and the resulting coherence properties. Considering three example cases, we finally compute estimates for all quantities analyzed. Taken together, our analysis provides a comprehensive view of ASE effects in a mode-locked laser, which unites numerous scattered reports across the literature.

Nonlinear coupling of relative intensity noise from pump to a fiber ring laser mode-locked with carbon nanotubes

Pump relative intensity noise (RIN) has been recognized as a major source of noise in mode-locked lasers. The coupling of RIN from the pump to the output of a passively mode-locked fiber laser (PMFL) is systematically investigated using a pump modulation technique. It is found that the linear RIN coupling ratio from pump to PMFL is decreased with an increase in modulation frequency and is independent of modulation power. Moreover, the nonlinear RIN coupling from pump to PMFL is clearly demonstrated with a square wave modulated pump. The nonlinear RIN coupling ratio is noise power dependent. An exponential decay model based on the view of gain modulation is proposed and explains well the behavior of the nonlinear coupling phenomena.

Optical phase noise and carrier-envelope offset noise of mode-locked lasers

The timing jitter, optical phase noise, and carrier-envelope offset (CEO) noise of passively mode-locked lasers are closely related. New key results concern analytical calculations of the quantum noise limits for optical phase noise and CEO noise. Earlier results for the optical phase noise of actively mode-locked lasers are generalized, particularly for application to passively mode-locked lasers. It is found, for example, that mode locking with slow absorbers can lead to optical linewidths far above the Schawlow–Townes limit. Furthermore, mode-locked lasers can at the same time have nearly quantum-limited timing jitter and a strong optical excess phase noise. A feedback timing stabilization via cavity length control can, depending on the situation, reduce or greatly increase the optical phase noise, while not affecting the CEO noise. Besides presenting such findings, the paper also tries to clarify some basic aspects of phase noise in mode-locked lasers.

Noise of mode-locked lasers (Part II): timing jitter and other fluctuations

This work present a comprehensive discussion of the noise properties of mode-locked lasers, with an emphasis on the effect of quantum noise in passively mode-locked solid-state lasers. Of special interest is the timing jitter, which is coupled to noise in various other pulse parameters. The study is based on analytical results and on numerical tools as described in part one of this study. It results in useful guidelines for the comparison and optimization of different kinds of lasers concerning timing jitter.

Effect of Spontaneous and Carrier Noise on Mode-Locked Hybrid Soliton Pulse Source

Noise characteristics of mode-locked hybrid soliton pulse source (HSPS) where fiber Bragg grating is used as external cavity is presented. Model is based on time-domain solution of coupled-mode equations including spontaneous noise. Relative intensity noise (RIN) is calculated by using numerical solution of these equations. It is shown that inclusion of carrier density noise in the rate equations is necessary for the accurate analysis of noise in mode-locked lasers. It is also found that transform-limited pulses are not generated over a wide tuning range around the fundamental mode-locking frequency with spontaneous and carrier density noise sources if noise level is high. Therefore mode-locking range where transform limited pulses are obtained reduces.

Noise of mode-locked lasers

A theory of noise in mode-locked lasers is developed that applies to additive pulse mode-locked and Kerr lens mode-locked systems. Equations of motion are derived for pulse energy, carrier linewidth, frequency pulling, and timing jitter. The effect of gain fluctuations, mirror vibrations, and index fluctuations are determined. Measurements that can determine all four fluctuation spectra are described. Experimental data in the literature are compared with theory.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">&gt;</ETX>