Erbium Fiber Lasers for Frequency Comb Metrology

Abstract

Optical frequency combs are powerful, laser-based tools that have revolutionized the control light by coherently uniting the electromagnetic spectrum. By enabling metrology, spectroscopy, and time-transfer with unprecedented precision and sensitivity, applications of optical frequency combs encompass broad areas of research in chemistry, physics, and even biology and astronomy. The lab of the PI, Prof. Scott Diddams, at the University of Colorado, Boulder develops advanced optics and photonic devices based on optical frequency combs for sensing, quantum control, spectroscopy, and metrology in areas of atmospheric and exoplanet sciences, biological imaging and spectroscopy, optical clock and time-transfer technologies, and fundamental chemistry and physics. Key to these efforts are robust, ultra-low noise Erbium (Er) doped mode-locked fiber lasers, which constitute the underlying frequency comb technology for practically all experiments in the PI s lab. This DURIP proposes the purchase of two Er-fiber oscillators which will form the underlying hardware for frequency combs with coverage from the UV to the THz. These Er-fiber oscillators will directly support currently-funded and proposed research projects by the DoD, as well as ongoing research projects funded by other agencies in areas of fundamental importance to the DoD. Areas that this equipment will impact include atomic and molecular physics, laser and optical physics, optoelectronics and photonics, physics of sensing, quantum information sciences, precision clocks and timing, space science, and ultrashort pulse laser-matter interactions.

Document Details

Document Type
DoD Grant Award
Publication Date
Feb 05, 2025
Source ID
FA95502410040

Entities

People

  • Scott A. Diddams

Organizations

  • Air Force Office of Scientific Research
  • Regents of the University of Colorado
  • United States Air Force

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Optical Physics and Photonics.
  • Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) Technology.
  • Research Science/Academic Research

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy
  • Microelectronics
  • Quantum Computing
  • Space