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arXiv · 1503.06038

Ultra-low phase noise all-optical microwave generation setup based on commercial devices

A. Didier·J. Millo·S. Grop·B. Dubois·E. Bigler·E. Rubiola·C. Lacroûte·Y. Kersalé
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Abstract

In this paper, we present a very simple design based on commercial devices for the all-optical generation of ultra-low phase noise microwave signals. A commercial, fibered femtosecond laser is locked to a laser that is stabilized to a commercial ULE Fabry-Perot cavity. The 10 GHz microwave signal extracted from the femtosecond laser output exhibits a single sideband phase noise $\mathcal{L}(f)=-104 \ \mathrm{dBc}/\mathrm{Hz}$ at 1 Hz Fourier frequency, at the level of the best value obtained with such "microwave photonics" laboratory experiments \cite{Fortier2011}. Close-to-the-carrier ultra-low phase noise microwave signals will now be available in laboratories outside the frequency metrology field, opening up new possibilities in various domains.

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A. Didier, J. Millo, S. Grop, B. Dubois, E. Bigler, E. Rubiola, C. Lacroûte, Y. Kersalé. 2015-03-20. Ultra-low phase noise all-optical microwave generation setup based on commercial devices. https://doi.org/10.1364/ao.54.003682

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