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Improved signal-to-noise ratio of 10 GHz microwave signals generated with a mode-filtered femtosecond laser frequency comb

Published

Author(s)

Scott A. Diddams, Matthew S. Kirchner, Tara M. Fortier, Danielle Braje, A. M. Weiner, Leo W. Hollberg

Abstract

We use a Fabry-Perot cavity to optically filter the output of a Ti:sapphire frequency comb to integer multiples of the original 1 GHz mode spacing. This effectively increases the pulse repetition rate which is useful for several applications. In the case of low-noise microwave signal generation, such filtering leads to improved linearity of the high-speed photodiodes that detect the mode-locked laser pulse train. The result is significantly improved signal-to- noise ratio at the 10 GHz harmonic with the potential for a shot- noise limited single sideband phase noise floor near -168 dBc/Hz.
Citation
Optics Express
Volume
17
Issue
5

Keywords

femtosecond laser, frequency comb, microwave synthesis

Citation

Diddams, S. , Kirchner, M. , Fortier, T. , Braje, D. , Weiner, A. and Hollberg, L. (2009), Improved signal-to-noise ratio of 10 GHz microwave signals generated with a mode-filtered femtosecond laser frequency comb, Optics Express, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=842543 (Accessed October 22, 2025)

Issues

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Created February 18, 2009, Updated February 19, 2017
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