The article discusses the development of the optical frequency comb, a revolutionary tool in laser technology that has enabled precise measurements of light frequencies. The concept was first proposed by physicist Theodor Hänsch in the 1970s, but it took nearly two decades and advancements in laser technology to make it a reality.
In the late 1990s, a team led by physicist Jan Hall at JILA (Joint Institute for Laboratory Astrophysics) made significant progress towards creating the optical frequency comb. They combined ultrafast pulsed lasers with a special optical fiber developed by Jinendra Ranka at Bell Labs. This combination allowed them to generate a full octave of frequencies, enabling precise self-referencing and calibration of the comb.
The breakthrough came in October 1999 when the team successfully produced the first octave-spanning, self-referenced optical frequency comb. This achievement was a culmination of decades of research and collaboration between multiple institutions and scientists.
The optical frequency comb has since revolutionized the field of laser technology, enabling precise measurements of light frequencies with applications in various scientific and commercial fields. Jan Hall’s leadership and collaborative approach were instrumental in bringing this revolutionary tool to fruition.
Source: https://www.nist.gov/nist-and-nobel/jan-hall/nobel-moment-jan-hall
Keywords: femtosecond, laser, frequency
