Long distance optical frequency transfer over fiber: predicting the frequency stability from the fiber noise

Published

May 19, 2008

Author(s)

Nathan R. Newbury, Paul A. Williams, William C. Swann

Abstract

We have recently demonstrated the coherent transfer of an optical signal over a 251 km link of optical fiber using the standard Doppler-cancellation approach to remove the effects of the fiber-link noise. The fundamental limit to the frequency instability on the transmitted optical frequency is set by residual phase noise on the optical frequency resulting from the unavoidable imperfect Doppler cancellation of the fiber-link noise. Here we demonstrate that it is possible to quantitatively predict the phase noise and instability of the Doppler-cancelled transmitted optical frequency directly from the measured fiber-link noise. The ability to predict the frequency instability from the measured fiber noise can be a useful tool in evaluating whether a coherent fiber optic link is operating at its fundamental limit, or whether there is additional excess noise from the measurement system present in the link.

Proceedings Title

2008 IEEE International Frequency Control Symposium

Volume

978-1-4244-1795-7/08

Conference Dates

May 19-21, 2008

Conference Location

Honolulu, HI

Pub Type

Conferences

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Keywords

frequency combs, Frequency transfer

Citation

Newbury, N. , Williams, P. and Swann, W. (2008), Long distance optical frequency transfer over fiber: predicting the frequency stability from the fiber noise, 2008 IEEE International Frequency Control Symposium, Honolulu, HI, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=33068 (Accessed October 13, 2025)