Fully phase-stabilized quantum cascade laser frequency comb

Year: 2019

Authors: Consolino L., Nafa M., Cappelli F., Garrasi K., Mezzapesa FP., Li LH., Davies AG., Linfield EH., Vitiello MS., De Natale P., Bartalini S.

Autors Affiliation: CNR, Ist Nazl Ott & LENS, Via N Carrara 1, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino, FI, Italy; CNR, Ist Nanosci, NEST, Piazza S Silvestro 12, I-56127 Pisa, Italy; Scuola Normale Super Pisa, Piazza S Silvestro 12, I-56127 Pisa, Italy; Univ Leeds, Sch Elect & Elect Engn, Leeds LS2 9JT, W Yorkshire, England; PpqSense Srl, Via Gattinella 20, I-50013 Campi Bisenzio, FI, Italy.

Abstract: Miniaturized frequency comb sources across hard-to-access spectral regions, i.e. mid-and far-infrared, have long been sought. Four-wave-mixing based Quantum Cascade Laser combs (QCL-combs) are ideal candidates, in this respect, due to the unique possibility to tailor their spectral emission by proper nanoscale design of the quantum wells. We demonstrate full-phase-stabilization of a QCL-comb against the primary frequency standard, proving independent and simultaneous control of the two comb degrees of freedom (modes spacing and frequency offset) at a metrological level. Each emitted mode exhibits a sub-Hz relative frequency stability, while a correlation analysis on the modal phases confirms the high degree of coherence in the device emission, over different power-cycles and over different days. The achievement of fully controlled, phase-stabilized QCL-comb emitters proves that this technology is mature for metrological-grade uses, as well as for an increasing number of scientific and technological applications.

Journal/Review: NATURE COMMUNICATIONS

Volume: 10 (1)      Pages from: 2938-1  to: 2938-7

More Information: We acknowledge financial support from the EC Project 665158 (ULTRAQCL), the ERC Project 681379 (SPRINT), the Italian ESFRI Roadmap (Extreme Light InfrastructureELI), EC-H2020 Laserlab-Europe grant agreement 654148, Ministero dell ` Istruzione, dell´ Universita e della Ricerca (Project PRIN-2015KEZNYM “NEMO-Nonlinear dynamics of optical frequency combs”). We also acknowledge support from the EPSRC (HyperTerahertz programme, EP/P021859/1). EHL acknowledges support from the Royal Society and Wolfson Foundation.
KeyWords: generation, quantum cascade laser
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-10913-7

Citations: 69
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