Zhang, W.
, Milner, W.
, Ye, J.
and Papp, S.
(2025),
Cryogenic photonic resonator with 10−17/s drift, Optics Letters
(Accessed October 9, 2025)
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Cryogenic photonic resonator with 10−17/s drift
Published
Author(s)
Wei Zhang, William Milner, ,
Abstract
Thermal noise is the predominant instability in the provision of ultrastable laser frequency by reference to a cavity. Reducing the thermal-noise limit of a cavity means either making it larger to spread thermal fluctuations, reducing the sensitivity of the cavity to temperature, or lowering the temperature. We report on a compact photonic resonator made of solid fused silica that we cool in a cryogenic environment. We explore a null in the resonator's frequency sensitivity due to the balance of thermal expansion and thermo-optic coefficients at a temperature of 9.5 K, enabling laser stabilization with a long-term frequency drift of 4 mHz/s on the 195 THz carrier. The robustness of fused silica to cryogenics, the capability for photonic design to mitigate thermal noise and drift, and operation at a modest 9.5 K temperature offer unique options for ultrastable laser systems.Citation
Optics Letters
Pub Type
Journals
Keywords
frequency metrology, integrated photonics
Citation
Issues
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Created February 11, 2025