Researchers at NIST and UCSB have developed a new type of optical frequency comb, called a microcomb, that could revolutionize precision measurements in various fields. The microcomb, small enough to fit on a microchip, generates a stable set of evenly spaced frequencies using a semiconductor material called aluminum gallium arsenide. This new design operates at very low laser power, eliminating the need for an external amplifier and making the device more practical for mass production.
The microcomb’s stable frequencies can be used as a precise ruler to measure the colors of light waves, with potential applications in atomic clocks, telecommunications, and detecting tiny frequency shifts in starlight that hint at the presence of unseen planets. The researchers achieved this by operating the microcomb at extremely low temperatures, which allowed them to reach the soliton regime where individual pulses of light maintain their shape and frequency.
While the current setup requires cryogenic temperatures, the ultimate goal is to operate the device at room temperature. This new microcomb technology could enable engineers and scientists to make precision optical frequency measurements outside the laboratory, potentially leading to advancements in various scientific and technological fields.
Keywords: microcomb, semiconductor, cryogenically cooled, laser microresonator, soliton regime, optical frequency measurements, precision, microelectronics
