Ultralow-noise modelocked lasers

The measurement, design, and theory of ultralow-noise actively modelocked lasers are presented. We demonstrate quantum-limited noise performance of a hybridly modelocked semiconductor laser with an rms timing jitter of only 47 fs (10 Hz to 10 MHz) and 86 fs (10 Hz to 4.5 GHz). The daunting task of measuring ultralow-noise levels is solved by a combined use of microwave and optical measurement techniques that yield complete characterization of the laser noise from DC to half the laser repetition rate. Optical cross-correlation techniques are shown to be a useful tool for quantifying fast noise processes, isolating the timing jitter noise component, measuring timing jitter asymmetries, and measuring correlations of pulses in harmonically modelocked lasers. A noise model for harmonically modelocked lasers is presented that illustrates how to correctly interpret the amplitude noise and timing jitter from microwave measurements. Using information about the supermodes, the amplitude and timing noise can be quantified independently, thereby making it possible to measure the noise of harmonically modelocked lasers with multi-gigahertz repetition rates. Methods to further reduce the noise of a modelocked laser are explored. We demonstrate that photon seeding is effective at reducing the noise of a modelocked semiconductor laser without increasing the pulse width. Experimental demonstrations of a timing jitter eater, consisting of a phase modulator and dispersive fiber, show that.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2002

Author dc:creator

• Jiang, Leaf Alden, 1976-

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Erich P. Ippen.

• Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/16852

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/16852