Optical Frequency Transfer Research Articles

VCSEL polarization modulation for pulse-per-second clock signal transfer in optical frequency distribution systems

In this paper, a novel vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) polarization modulation technique based on polarization switching due to thermal heating in a single transverse mode class 10 G VCSEL at 1 310 nm is demonstrated experimentally. The inherent orthogonal polarization switching of the VCSEL carrier with changing bias is exploited in the transmission of pulse-per-second (PPS) timing clock signal. Experimental results show that PPS pulse widths of 9.97 μs and 9.98 μs are measured for back-to-back analysis and over 3.21 km of G 652 urban fibre transmission, respectively. This work provides a novel alternative for adoption in optical frequency and time transfer applications.

Stabilized Free-Space Optical Frequency Transfer

The transfer of high-precision optical frequency signals over free-space links, particularly between ground stations and satellites, will enable advances in fields ranging from coherent optical communications and satellite Doppler ranging to tests of General Relativity and fundamental physics. We present results for the actively stabilized coherent phase transfer of a 193 THz continuous wave optical frequency signal over horizontal free-space links 150 m and 600 m in length. Over the 600 m link we achieved a fractional frequency stability of 8.9e-18 at one second of integration time, improving to 1.3e-18 at an integration time of 64 s, suitable for transmission of optical atomic clock signals. The achievable transfer distance is limited by deep-fading of the transmitted signal due to atmospheric turbulence. We also estimate the expected additional degradation in stability performance for frequency transfer to Low Earth Orbit.

Delay Effect on Coherent Transfer of Optical Frequency Based on a Triple-Pass Scheme**Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant No 61378037, and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities under Grant No JUSRP51628B.

We demonstrate a triple-pass scheme for coherent transfer of optical frequency and the delay effect on the fiber phase noise compensation. It is theoretically proved that the delay effect consists of both fiber delay and servo delay. The delay effect confines the servo bandwidth within 1/8τ and induces a residual fiber phase noise after noise compensation. For a 25-km-long fiber, the servo bandwidth is found to be around 1 kHz, and the fiber phase noise is suppressed approaching to the theoretical limitation. The triple-pass scheme enables the simultaneous transfer of optical frequency to multiple remote users. The performance of noise compensator in the triple-pass scheme can achieve a similar level result compared with that in the double-pass scheme.

Optical frequency transfer over submarine fiber links

Bidirectional phase-stabilized optical fiber links allow state-of-the-art optical clocks to be compared on a continental scale. However, intercontinental comparisons are still based on satellite techniques, preventing optical clocks from being compared without degradation. We performed the first optical frequency transfer experiment over submarine links, measuring levels of environmentally induced noise substantially lower than for on-land links. From these measurements, we predict the transfer stability that can be achieved over transoceanic links. We also performed the first optical frequency transfer over fibers installed in power cables, observing optical perturbations caused by the high-voltage field. Finally, we show that the low background noise of fibers on the seafloor allows applications in geophysical sensing.

Monitoring of phase jitter in fibre optic time and frequency transfer systems

Monitoring of phase jitter in fibre optic time and frequency transfer systems

Studying the fundamental limit of optical fiber links to the 10-21 level.

We present a hybrid fiber link combining effective optical frequency transfer and evaluation of performances with a self-synchronized two-way comparison. It enables us to detect the round-trip fiber noise and each of the forward and backward one-way fiber noises simultaneously. The various signals acquired with this setup allow us to study quantitatively several properties of optical fiber links. We check the reciprocity of the accumulated noise forth and back over a bi-directional fiber to the level of 3.1(±3.9) × 10-20 based on a 160000s continuous data. We also analyze the noise correlation between two adjacent fibers and show the first experimental evidence of interferometric noise at very low Fourier frequency. We estimate redundantly and consistently the stability and accuracy of the transferred optical frequency over 43 km at 4 × 10-21 level after 16 days of integration and demonstrate that a frequency comparison with instability as low as 8 × 10-18 would be achievable with uni-directional fibers in urban area.

Simultaneous Transfer of Stabilized Optical and Microwave Frequencies Over Fiber

We demonstrate simultaneous stabilization of optical and microwave signals on an optical-fiber link by independently stabilizing two optical signals that are separated by a nominated microwave frequency. This system can be implemented on conventional stabilized optical frequency transfer networks without degrading the stability of the optical signal, increasing the scope of applications of existing and future large-scale frequency transfer networks. For a 30 km optical-fiber link, we demonstrate a 193 THz optical carrier transfer absolute frequency stability of $4.9\times 10^{-5}$ Hz at $10^{3}$ s, and a 10.02 GHz microwave signal transfer absolute frequency stability of $1.3\times 10^{-4}$ Hz at $10^{3}$ s.

A Hybrid Solution for Simultaneous Transfer of Ultrastable Optical Frequency, RF Frequency, and UTC Time-Tags Over Optical Fiber.

We describe a fiber-optic solution for simultaneous distribution of all signals generated at today's most advanced time and frequency laboratories, i.e., an ultrastable optical reference frequency derived from an optical atomic clock, a radio frequency precisely linked to a realization of the SI-Second, and a realization of an atomic timescale, being the local representation of the virtual, global UTC timescale. In our solution both the phase of the optical carrier and the delay of electrical signals (10-MHz frequency reference and one-pulse-per-second time tags) are stabilized against environmental perturbations influencing the fiber link instability and accuracy. We experimentally demonstrate optical transfer stabilities of and for 100 s averaging period, for optical carrier and 10-MHz signals, respectively.

Effect of a timebase mismatch in two-way optical frequency transfer

Two-way frequency transfer on optical fibers is a powerful technique for the comparison of distant clocks over long and ultra-long hauls. In contrast to traditional Doppler noise cancellation, it is capable of sustaining higher link attenuation, mitigating the need of optical amplification and regeneration and thus reducing the setup complexity. We investigate the ultimate limitations of the two-way approach on a 300 km multiplexed fiber haul, considering fully independent setups and acquisition systems at the two link ends. We derive a theoretical model to predict the performance deterioration due to a bad synchronisation of the measurements, which is confirmed by experimental results. This study demonstrates that two-way optical frequency transfer is a reliable and performing technique, capable of sustaining remote clocks comparisons at the resolution, and is relevant for the development of a fiber network of continental scale for frequency metrology in Europe.

Optical–Optical Synchronization Between Two Independent Femtosecond Yb-Fiber Lasers With 10 –20 Instability in 105 s

Optical–optical synchronization between independent mode-locked lasers with attosecond timing precision is essential for arbitrary electric-field waveform generation, subcycle optical pulse synthesis, optical frequency transfer as well as next-generation photon-science facilities, e.g., X-ray free-electron lasers. Long-term stable operation with low timing drift is highly desired for all above applications. Here, we present a five-day uninterrupted timing synchronization between two independent femtosecond Yb-fiber lasers via balanced optical correlation method. The out-of-loop residual timing drift over the entire time frame reaches 733 as rms, corresponding to <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$1.36\times 10^{{\rm -20}}$</tex-math></inline-formula> instability at <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$1.31\times 10^{{\rm 5}}{\rm{\,s}}$</tex-math></inline-formula> . To the best of our knowledge, it is the first characterization of 10 <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">5</sup> s instability for subfemtosecond optical–optical synchronization based on mode-locked lasers.

Characterization of optical frequency transfer over 154 km of aerial fiber.

We present measurements of the frequency transfer stability and analysis of the noise characteristics of an optical signal propagating over aerial suspended fiber links up to 153.6km in length. The measured frequency transfer stability over these links is on the order of 10-11 at an integration time of 1 s dropping to 10-12 for integration times longer than 100s. We show that wind-loading of the cable spans is the dominant source of short-timescale noise on the fiber links. We also report an attempt to stabilize the optical frequency transfer over these aerial links.

First international comparison of fountain primary frequency standards via a long distance optical fiber link

We report on the first comparison of distant caesium fountain primary frequency standards (PFSs) via an optical fiber link. The 1415 km long optical link connects two PFSs at LNE-SYRTE (Laboratoire National de métrologie et d’Essais—SYstème de Références Temps-Espace) in Paris (France) with two at PTB (Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt) in Braunschweig (Germany). For a long time, these PFSs have been major contributors to accuracy of the International Atomic Time (TAI), with stated accuracies of around . They have also been the references for a number of absolute measurements of clock transition frequencies in various optical frequency standards in view of a future redefinition of the second. The phase coherent optical frequency transfer via a stabilized telecom fiber link enables far better resolution than any other means of frequency transfer based on satellite links. The agreement for each pair of distant fountains compared is well within the combined uncertainty of a few 10−16 for all the comparisons, which fully supports the stated PFSs’ uncertainties. The comparison also includes a rubidium fountain frequency standard participating in the steering of TAI and enables a new absolute determination of the 87Rb ground state hyperfine transition frequency with an uncertainty of .This paper is dedicated to the memory of André Clairon, who passed away on 24 December 2015, for his pioneering and long-lasting efforts in atomic fountains. He also pioneered optical links from as early as 1997.

Stabilized microwave-frequency transfer using optical phase sensing and actuation.

We present a stabilized microwave-frequency transfer technique that is based on optical phase sensing and optical phase actuation. This technique shares several attributes with optical-frequency transfer and, therefore, exhibits several advantages over other microwave-frequency transfer techniques. We demonstrated the stabilized transfer of an 8000 MHz microwave-frequency signal over a 166 km metropolitan optical fiber network, achieving a fractional frequency stability of 6.8×10-14 Hz/Hz at 1 s integration and 5.0×10-16 Hz/Hz at 1.6×104 s. This technique is being considered for use on the Square Kilometre Array SKA1-mid radio telescope.

用于长距离光学频率传递链路的双向掺铒光纤放大器的优化设计

用于长距离光学频率传递链路的双向掺铒光纤放大器的优化设计

Coherent Transfer of Optical Frequency over 112 km with Instability at the 10−20 Level**Supported by the Special Fund for Major Scientific Equipment and Instrument Development of the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant No 61127901, the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant Nos 10225417, 11273024, 61025023 and 91636101, the Young Scientists Fund of the National Natural

We demonstrate optical-carrier transfer over a 112-km single-span urban fiber link. By actively compensating the phase noise induced along the fiber link, a noise suppression of 55 dB at 1 Hz is obtained. A fractional frequency instability of 2.5 × 10−16 at 1s is achieved, and reaching 7.5 × 10−20 at 10000 s. The system is stable and able to run for a long time. This work will contribute to optical frequency distribution and remote comparison among atomic clocks.

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.

Optical injection locking-based amplification in phase-coherent transfer of optical frequencies.

We demonstrate the use of an optical injection phase locked loop (OIPLL) as a regenerative amplifier for optical frequency transfer applications. The optical injection locking provides high gain within a narrow bandwidth (<100 MHz) and is capable of preserving the fractional frequency stability of the incoming carrier to better than 10(-18) at 1000 s. The OIPLL was tested in the field as a mid-span amplifier for the transfer of an ultrastable optical carrier, stabilized to an optical frequency standard, over a 292 km long installed dark fiber link. The transferred frequency at the remote end reached a fractional frequency instability of less than 1×10(-19) at averaging time of 3200 s.

Brillouin amplification supports1×10−20uncertainty in optical frequency transfer over 1400 km of underground fiber

We investigate optical frequency transfer over a 1400~km loop of underground fibre connecting Braunschweig and Strasbourg. Largely autonomous fibre Brillouin amplifiers (FBA) are the only means of intermediate amplification, allowing phase-continuous measurements over periods up to several days. Over a measurement period of about three weeks we find a weighted mean of the transferred frequency's fractional offset of $(1.1\pm0.4)\times10^{-20}$. In the best case we find an instability of $6.9\times10^{-21}$ and a fractional frequency offset of $4.4\times10^{-21}$ at an averaging time of around 30~000~s. These results represent an upper limit for the achievable uncertainty over 1400 km when using a chain of remote Brillouin amplifiers, and allow us to investigate systematic effects at the $10^{-20}$-level.

Optical coherence transfer over 50-km spooled fiber with frequency instability of 2×10−17 at 1 s**Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 11127405, 11334002, and 11374102) and the National Basic Research Program of China (Grant No. 2012CB821302).

We demonstrate coherent transfer of an ultra-stable optical frequency at 192.8 THz over 50-km spooled fiber. Random phase noise induced by environmental disturbance through fiber is detected and suppressed by feeding a correctional signal into an acousto-optic modulator. After being compensated, the fiber-induced frequency instability is 2×10−17 at 1-s averaging time and reaches 8×10−20 after 16 h. The noise floor of the compensation system could be as low as 2×10−18 at 1-s averaging time.

Effect of soil temperature on optical frequency transfer through unidirectional dense-wavelength-division-multiplexing fiber-optic links.

Results of optical frequency transfer over a carrier-grade dense-wavelength-division-multiplexing (DWDM) optical fiber network are presented. The relation between soil temperature changes on a buried optical fiber and frequency changes of an optical carrier through the fiber is modeled. Soil temperatures, measured at various depths by the Royal Netherlands Meteorology Institute (KNMI) are compared with observed frequency variations through this model. A comparison of a nine-day record of optical frequency measurements through the 2×298 km fiber link with soil temperature data shows qualitative agreement. A soil temperature model is used to predict the link stability over longer periods (days-months-years). We show that optical frequency dissemination is sufficiently stable to distribute and compare, e.g., rubidium frequency standards over standard DWDM optical fiber networks using unidirectional fibers.