Researchers at NIST have developed a new type of frequency comb called a parametrically-driven microcomb that could significantly improve the accuracy of timekeeping and other applications. The new comb uses two pump lasers instead of one, allowing it to generate a range of frequencies that was previously inaccessible. This could enable new applications in biology, such as studying cells and biological materials.
The new comb system also has potential advantages over traditional single-laser combs. The two-laser system produces solitons (solitary wave pulses) that come in two varieties, which could enable a perfect random number generator for secure cryptographic codes and solving certain quantum problems. The researchers are now testing whether the theoretical prediction of equally narrow teeth holds true for the microcombs they have fabricated.
The development of this new type of frequency comb could lead to significant improvements in the accuracy of timekeeping and other applications that rely on precise frequency measurements. The research team includes scientists from the Université Libre de Bruxelles, the Université de Bourgogne, the Joint Quantum Institute, and the Dodd-Walls Centre for Photonic and Quantum Technologies.
Keywords: Quantum, Microcomb, Frequency, Soliton
