Author(s)
Nathan R. Newbury, William C. Swann
Abstract
We discuss experimental and theoretical aspects of a low-noise fiber-laser frequency comb, including the experimental configuration and the major contributions to the frequency noise and linewidth of the individual comb modes. Intra-cavity noise sources acting on the mode-locked laser determine the free-running comb linewidth and include environmental changes, pump noise, and amplified spontaneous emission (ASE). Extra-cavity noise sources acting outside of the laser typically determine the signal-to-noise ratio on the comb lines and include environmental effects, shot noise and noise generated during supercontinuum generation. Feedback strongly suppresses these intracavity noise contributions, yielding a system that operates with comb linewidths and timing jitter below the quantum limit set by the intracavity ASE. Finally, we discuss correlations in the residual noise across a phase-locked comb.
Citation
Journal of the Optical Society of America B-Optical Physics
Keywords
fiber laser frequency comb, frequency metrology, mode-locked fiber laser
Citation
Newbury, N.
and Swann, W.
(2007),
Low-noise fiber-laser frequency combs, Journal of the Optical Society of America B-Optical Physics, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=32534 (Accessed April 25, 2026)
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