Optical frequency comb synthesizers have represented a revolutionary approach to frequency metrology, providing a grid of frequency references for any laser emitting within their spectral coverage. Extending the metrological features of optical frequency comb synthesizers to the terahertz domain would be a major breakthrough, due to the widespread range of accessible strategic applications and the availability of stable, high-power and widely tunable sources such as quantum cascade lasers. Here we demonstrate phase-locking of a 2.5THz quantum cascade laser to a free-space comb, generated in a LiNbO(3) waveguide and covering the 0.1-6THz frequency range. We show that even a small fraction (<100nW) of the radiation emitted from the quantum cascade laser is sufficient to generate a beat note suitable for phase-locking to the comb, paving the way to novel metrological-grade terahertz applications, including high-resolution spectroscopy, manipulation of cold molecules, astronomy and telecommunications.
Phase-locking to a free-space terahertz comb for metrological-grade terahertz lasers / L. Consolino;A. Taschin;P. Bartolini;S. Bartalini;P. Cancio;A. Tredicucci;H. E. Beere;D. A. Ritchie;R. Torre;M. S. Vitiello;P. D. Natale. - In: NATURE COMMUNICATIONS. - ISSN 2041-1723. - ELETTRONICO. - 3:(2012), pp. 1040(1)-1040(5). [10.1038/ncomms2048]
Phase-locking to a free-space terahertz comb for metrological-grade terahertz lasers.
TASCHIN, ANDREA;BARTOLINI, PAOLO;TORRE, RENATO;
2012
Abstract
Optical frequency comb synthesizers have represented a revolutionary approach to frequency metrology, providing a grid of frequency references for any laser emitting within their spectral coverage. Extending the metrological features of optical frequency comb synthesizers to the terahertz domain would be a major breakthrough, due to the widespread range of accessible strategic applications and the availability of stable, high-power and widely tunable sources such as quantum cascade lasers. Here we demonstrate phase-locking of a 2.5THz quantum cascade laser to a free-space comb, generated in a LiNbO(3) waveguide and covering the 0.1-6THz frequency range. We show that even a small fraction (<100nW) of the radiation emitted from the quantum cascade laser is sufficient to generate a beat note suitable for phase-locking to the comb, paving the way to novel metrological-grade terahertz applications, including high-resolution spectroscopy, manipulation of cold molecules, astronomy and telecommunications.File | Dimensione | Formato | |
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