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arXiv · 1105.1434

Ultralow phase noise microwave generation with an Er:fiber-based optical frequency divider

F. Quinlan·T. M. Fortier·M. S. Kirchner·J. A. Taylor·M. J. Thorpe·N. Lemke·A. D. Ludlow·Y. Jiang·C. W. Oates·S. A. Diddams
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Abstract

We present an optical frequency divider based on a 200 MHz repetition rate Er:fiber mode-locked laser that, when locked to a stable optical frequency reference, generates microwave signals with absolute phase noise that is equal to or better than cryogenic microwave oscillators. At 1 Hz offset from a 10 GHz carrier, the phase noise is below -100 dBc/Hz, limited by the optical reference. For offset frequencies > 10 kHz, the phase noise is shot noise limited at -145 dBc/Hz. An analysis of the contribution of the residual noise from the Er:fiber optical frequency divider is also presented.

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F. Quinlan, T. M. Fortier, M. S. Kirchner, J. A. Taylor, M. J. Thorpe, N. Lemke, A. D. Ludlow, Y. Jiang, C. W. Oates, S. A. Diddams. 2011-05-07. Ultralow phase noise microwave generation with an Er:fiber-based optical frequency divider. https://doi.org/10.1364/ol.36.003260

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