We measured microwave-power space distribution using an electric-field sensor utilizing the electro-optic effect. The sensor is a small optical interferometer on an electrooptic crystal with a dipole antenna. Since the sensor does not include electrical parts except for the dipole antenna, the sensing with less disturbance is possible. The sensing system is optical fiber connected system. So the system can be used in an electromagnetic wave shielded space such as in the underground space.
We present a method for predicting the geometric phase introduced by wave plates and a polarizer, wherein mathematical formulas to calculate the phase using the Mueller formalism are visualized as a triangle on the surface of the Poincare sphere. These constructions are used to describe a simple experiment with a birefringent medium in a Mach–Zehnder interferometer and polariscopic setup. A geometric radio frequency (RF) phase shifter for controlling the geometric phase introduced by the birefringent medium is also presented. The RF phase generated from orthogonally polarized light signals was shifted from 0 deg to 360 deg; this phase shift exhibited nonlinear characteristics. Thus, the proposed phase-shifter device improves phase control sensitivity in the partial region.
We pursue locking of optical frequency comb for absolute frequency measurement. For the purpose, the characteristics of frequency comb are measured. At first, the characteristics in the fs pulse laser are measured by an autocorrelation technique. Second, the frequency stability of the reputation rate of an optical frequency comb based on a mode-locked fiber laser is measured. The repetition frequency is locked to a frequency generated from a synthesizer, which is referred to a Rubidium frequency standard. The stability was 3 Hz at averaging time of 1 s under locking. The best stability was better than 0.3 mHz at averaging time of 100 s. Finally, the wavelength spectrum of the pulse laser is broadened using self-phase modulation in highly nonlinear fibers. The spectrum bandwidth was broadened to 824 nm.
A microwave phase-control scheme is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. Two lasers are combined in an optical fiber coupler to generate a beat signal. The beat frequency is tuned by controlling the frequency of one laser. Using the phase shift of the beat waves with different frequencies during the propagation in an optical fiber, the phase of the radio-frequency (RF) signal generated by a photodetector (PD) can be controlled. Using the phase shift during the propagation of beat waves in an optical fiber with different beat frequencies, the phase of the RF signal generated by a PD connected to the fiber can be controlled. A tunable phase shift ranging from 0 deg to 1400 deg is obtained for frequencies from 6 to 10 GHz. This scheme offers the advantages of fast tuning and precise phase control of an RF signal.
A beat-note frequency stabilization system using a distributed-feedback laser and external cavity laser diode has become a very important technique for laser spectroscopy, where highly stabilized high-frequency beat notes are required. We have developed a simple and versatile system capable of stabilizing the high-frequency beat notes (3 to 11 GHz) of two lasers using a delayed radio frequency self-heterodyne interferometer and have confirmed its basic operation. The frequency stability of the obtained beat notes is higher than 1 MHz in the 3- to 11-GHz frequency range with an average time of 20 s.
We propose a novel stabilization technique for two 1550-nm band external cavity laser diodes (ECLDs) used in optical generation of microwave and millimeter wave signals. Using FM sideband technique, those two ECLDs are simultaneously locked to two resonant modes of a single Fabry-Perot cavity. In the scheme, a new Υ-type optical configuration is used for simultaneous phase modulation of orthogonally polarized two wavelengths transmitted through slow and fast axis of polarization maintaining fiber. The Υ-type optical configuration, which consists of a phase modulator and a Faraday rotator mirror combined with an optical circulator, is a simple and compact apparatus to achieve double-pass phase modulation with the same modulation index . In this paper, we show the results of frequency stabilization of two ECLDs using Υ-type configuration, and compare with the results obtained in conventional non-Υ-type configuration. Short-term stability of 200 kHz at an averaging of 10 ms is achieved in the simple Υ-type configuration.
Precisely frequency-stabilized semiconductor lasers produce physical-random numbers, allowing for optimal noise-suppression with one notable exception: white frequency-modulation (FM) noise. However, this component can also be converted into physical-random numbers. The interference created between two beams of rubidium (Rb) gas-cell-stabilized lasers allows for laser frequency noise to be extracted. Using this technique, we produce physical-random numbers from the relative frequency noise. Finally, we confirm that the numbers produced are, in fact, random, by means of the standard National Institute of Standards and Technology Federal Information Processing Standard (NIST FIPS) 140-2 test.
The primary objective of the Decihertz Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory (DECIGO) mission is to detect and observe black holes' and galactic binaries' gravitational waves (GWs), at frequencies ranging from 10−2 to 101 Hz (from 0.1 to 100 s in averaging time). This low-frequency range is inaccessible to ground-based interferometers, due to unshieldable background noise and to the fact that ground-based interferometers are limited to a few kilometers in length. Our research is focused on efforts to stabilize semiconductor, Nd:YAG, and fiber lasers, for use as GW detectors' optical sources. In present-day and future detectors, frequency and phase noise may place certain limitations on sensitivity and stability. Our goal is primarily to design robust experiments. In this report, we compare existing methods: Faraday, Faraday peak, and saturated absorption spectroscopy. In these, the laser frequency is stabilized to Rb as an atomic frequency reference by a feedback-loop control system. From the frequency stability of these models, we can predict the characteristics of the three systems through dynamic stability analysis, by analyzing the dynamic Allan variance. We find the optical frequency stability, expressed as the Allan deviation (the square root of the Allan variance), to be 3.3×10−11, 2.9×10−12, and 1.2×10−12 in the respective methods.
Scientists throughout the world are seeking to enhance the capabilities of satellite-to-satellite tracking laser
interferometer-based optical systems used to measure the alterations in earth's gravitational field that indicate critical
changes in the environment. These systems must be able to measure infinitesimal fluctuations in the relative velocities of
two satellites, using a light source that oscillates at a level of frequency stability rated better than 10-13 in the square root
of the Allan variance. In our experiments, semiconductor laser frequency stabilization that typically requires a brief
direct modulation of the laser injection current to obtain an error signal, was accomplished using the Faraday effect of Rb
absorption lines. This effectively modulates the reference frequency of the stabilization system, i.e., the Rb absorption
line, by modulating the magnetic field applied to the Rb absorption cell, instead of the oscillation frequency of the laser
diode. Most recently, we used the Faraday method, in conjunction with a precision temperature controller. For present
purposes, we also use the PEAK method, to obtain the most accurate signal possible, comparing it with saturated
absorption spectroscopic readings, to determine the noise-source.
The primary objective of the Deci-hertz Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory (DECIGO) mission is to detect
and observe black holes' and galactic binaries' gravitational waves (GWs), at frequencies ranging from 10-2 to 101 Hz.
This low-frequency range is inaccessible to ground-based interferometers, due to unshieldable background noise, and
the fact that ground-based interferometers are limited to a few kilometers in length. Our research is focused on efforts to
stabilize semiconductor-, Nd:YAG- and fiber- lasers, for use as GW detectors' optical sources. In present-day- and future
detectors' frequency- and phase-noise may place certain limitations on sensitivity and stability. Our goals (shared with
scientists around the world) are; first, to design robust experiments that will measure a variety of noises (random-walk
FM, flicker-FM, white FM, flicker PM and white PM), in order to verify existing models, and second, to find ways to reduce sensitivity to spurious noise. Current models predict a variety of frequency- and phase-dependent noise slopes, but, a conclusive distinction between noise-models can only be made when the exact points at which the noises occurred are known. In order to increase the sensitivity of the experiment, the laser frequency is stabilized to an atomic-frequency-reference by a feedback-loop control system.
A method of detecting gravitational-field variations using laser diodes is described. While the GRACE project is
currently using the Doppler microwave system to measure the velocities of satellites flying in tandem, in the future, more
advanced laser interferometry will be employed. It is hoped that we will be able to measure infinitesimal changes in their
velocities, by using frequency-stabilized lasers rated at better than 10-13 in the square root of the Allan variance (&sgr;) for 1s
< τ < 100s. As laser light sources, these devices will be notable for their compactness, energy efficiency, lightweight and
high frequency-stability. This thesis describes the improved frequency stabilization obtained through the use of the
magneto-optical effect of the Rb-D2 absorption line, and the adaptation of the PEAK method, in order to obtain a precise
control signal. The method allows us to modulate the reference frequency of the stabilization system (the absorption
spectrum of the Rb-D2 absorption line) by modulating the magnetic field applied to the Rb absorption cell, instead of the
oscillation frequency of the laser diode. In so doing we are able to achieve a frequency stabilized laser diode (&sgr; = 9 x
10-12), while maintaining its linewidth, at an averaging time of 40s. In the next stage, we will test frequency-stabilized
laser optical sources that are to be used in detecting and observing gravitational waves.
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