arXiv subjects

Nikola Opacak

Publications and source records attributed to Nikola Opacak.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2022

Synchronization of frequency combs by optical injection

Optical frequency combs based on semiconductor lasers are a promising technology for monolithic integration of dual-comb spectrometers. However, the stabilization of the offset frequency fceo remains a challenging feat due the lack of octave-spanning spectra. In a dual-comb configuration, the uncorrelated jitter of the offset frequencies leads to a non-periodic signal resulting in broadened beatnotes with a limited signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Hence, expensive data acquisition schemes and complex signal processing are currently required. Here, we show that the offset frequencies of two frequency combs can be synchronized by optical injection locking, which allows full phase-stabilization when combined with electrical injection. A single comb line isolated via an optical Vernier filter serves as Master oscillator for injection locking. The resulting dual-comb signal is periodic and stable over thousands of periods. This enables coherent averaging using analog electronics, which increases the SNR and reduces the data size by one and three orders of magnitude, respectively. The presented method will enable fully phase-stabilized dual-comb spectrometers by leveraging on integrated optical filters and provides access for measuring and stabilizing fceo.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2020

Mode-locked ultrashort pulses from an 8 $μ$m wavelength semiconductor laser

Quantum cascade lasers (QCL) have revolutionized the generation of mid-infrared light. Yet, the ultrafast carrier transport in mid-infrared QCLs has so far constituted a seemingly insurmountable obstacle for the formation of ultrashort light pulses. Here, we demonstrate that careful quantum design of the gain medium and control over the intermode beat synchronization enable transform-limited picosecond pulses from QCL frequency combs. Both an interferometric radio-frequency technique and second-order autocorrelation shed light on the pulse dynamics and confirm that mode-locked operation is achieved from threshold to rollover current. Being electrically pumped and compact, mode-locked QCLs pave the way towards monolithically integrated non-linear photonics in the molecular fingerprint region beyond 6 $μ$m wavelength.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2019

Semiconductor ring laser frequency combs induced by phase turbulence

Semiconductor ring lasers are miniaturized devices that operate on clockwise and counterclockwise modes. These modes are not coupled in the absence of intracavity reflectors, which prevents the formation of a standing wave in the cavity and, consequently, of a population inversion grating. This should inhibit the onset of multimode emission driven by spatial hole burning. Here we show that, despite this notion, ring quantum cascade lasers inherently operate in phase-locked multimode states, that switch on and off as the pumping level is progressively increased. By rewriting the master equation of lasers with fast gain media in the form of the complex Ginzburg-Landau equation, we show that ring frequency combs stem from a phase instability---a phenomenon also known in superconductors and Bose-Einstein condensates. The instability is due to coupling of the amplitude and phase modulation of the optical field in a semiconductor laser, which plays the role of a Kerr nonlinearity, highlighting a connection between laser and microresonator frequency combs.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2019

In-phase and anti-phase synchronization in a laser frequency comb

Coupled clocks are a classic example of a synchronization system leading to periodic collective oscillations. This phenomenon already attracted the attention of Christian Huygens back in 1665,who described it as a kind of "sympathy" among oscillators. In this work we describe the formation of two types of laser frequency combs as a system of oscillators coupled through the beating of the lasing modes. We experimentally show two completely different types of synchronizations in a quantum dot laser { in-phase and splay states. Both states can be generated in the same device, just by varying the damping losses of the system. This effectively modifes the coupling among the oscillators. The temporal output of the laser is characterized using both linear and quadratic autocorrelation techniques. Our results show that both pulses and frequency-modulated states can be generated on demand. These findings allow to connect laser frequency combs produced by amplitude-modulated and frequency-modulated lasers, and link these to pattern formation in coupled systems such as Josephson-junction arrays.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2017

Transmission singularities in resonant electron tunneling through double complex potential barrier

Tunneling of electrons through a barrier with complex potential is investigated. We focus on two cases, symmetric double rectangular barrier and double delta potential barrier, and give expressions for resonant transmission probability for both cases. Expressions for reflection amplitude and absorption are also obtained in the case of delta potential. It will be shown that for given dimensions of the potential barrier and the real part of the potential, resonant transmission probability approaches infinity for only one positive value of the imaginary part of the potential.

quant-ph↗