The quantum-limited comb lineshape of a mode-locked laser: fundamental limits on frequency uncertainty

We calculate the quantum-limited shape of the comb lines from a mode-locked Ti:sapphire laser using experimentally-derived parameters for the linear response of the laser to perturbations. The free-running width of the comb lines is found across the laser spectrum. By modeling the effect of a simple...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inOptics express Vol. 16; no. 23; pp. 18624 - 18630
Main Authors Wahlstrand, J K, Willits, J T, Menyuk, C R, Cundiff, S T
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 10.11.2008
Subjects
Computer Simulation
Computer-Aided Design
Equipment Design
Equipment Failure Analysis
Lasers
Models, Statistical
Quantum Theory
Reproducibility of Results
Sensitivity and Specificity
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Summary:We calculate the quantum-limited shape of the comb lines from a mode-locked Ti:sapphire laser using experimentally-derived parameters for the linear response of the laser to perturbations. The free-running width of the comb lines is found across the laser spectrum. By modeling the effect of a simple feedback loop, we calculate the spectrum of the residual phase noise in terms of the quantum noise and the feedback parameters. Finally, we calculate the frequency uncertainty in an optical frequency measurement if the limiting factor is quantum noise in the detection of the optical heterodyne beat.
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ISSN:1094-4087
1094-4087
DOI:10.1364/OE.16.018624