NIST researchers have developed a new type of optical frequency comb using fiber lasers, which could revolutionize various fields including timekeeping, chemical analysis, and telecommunications. The fiber-based frequency combs are cheaper and more practical than previous versions, using common telecommunications equipment components.
One key application is in next-generation optical atomic clocks, which could achieve ten times greater accuracy than current cesium-based clocks. These clocks use optical frequency emissions from trapped atoms like aluminum, strontium, or mercury, which can be translated to infrared frequencies suitable for telecommunications.
The combs could also dramatically improve infrared spectroscopy for chemical analysis, allowing simultaneous measurement of 150,000 wavelengths at once – a hundred times faster than current methods. This could enhance diagnostic sensitivity and speed up chemical analysis.
In telecommunications, the combs could enable precise measurement of light travel times and distances with unprecedented accuracy, potentially finding use in manufacturing and satellite coordination. They could also help assess the quality of high-speed telecommunications signals by taking snapshots of light from laser modulators.
The development of fiber laser-based frequency combs represents a significant advancement in optical technology, with potential applications across multiple industries and scientific fields.
Source: https://www.nist.gov/programs-projects/fiber-sources-and-applications-background-information
Keywords: optical frequency combs, infrared spectroscopy, optical atomic clocks, frequency combs, laser signals
