Abstract
Frequency combs from passively modelocked lasers offer a very stable link between optical and microwave frequencies that can directly be measured with very high accuracy. Currently, most frequency-comb generation systems are based on Ti:Sapphire lasers, which cannot be directly diode-pumped, or Er:fiber laser systems, which require further amplification and noise reduction techniques. SESAM modelocked diode-pumped solid-state lasers (DPSSLs) are a promising alternative for frequency comb generation. Their simple and stable design with high-Q cavities leads to low noise operation. Additionally, their pulse repetition rate can be increased to tens of GHz in low-noise fundamental modelocked operation [1]. So far carrier envelope offset (CEO) frequency detection of DPSSLs has been demonstrated with a Kerr-lens modelocked 865-nm Cr:LiSAF laser oscillator [2], and a fiber-amplified, temporally compressed 1030-nm Yb:KYW laser [3]. Here we present the first CEO beat frequency measurement of a passively modelocked 1.5-μm solid-state laser oscillator. The compact and highly efficient SESAM modelocked Er:Yb:glass laser is self-starting and operates at 75 MHz pulse repetition rate [4]. The laser is pumped by only one standard 980-nm telecom pump diode with an electrical power consumption of <1.5 W. Its 110 mW average output power in 175-fs pulses is sufficient to generate an octave-spanning supercontinuum without further amplification and a free-running CEO beat signal with 49 dB signal-to-noise ratio and only 3.6 kHz bandwidth, which is 17-times narrower than for fiber systems. The excellent beating signal substantially reduces the demands on the feedback loop for frequency comb stabilization.
© 2009 IEEE
PDF ArticleMore Like This
S. Pekarek, M. C. Stumpf, A. E. H. Oehler, T. Südmeyer, J. M. Dudley, and U. Keller
AWC1 Advanced Solid-State Photonics (ASSL) 2010
M. C. Stumpf, S. Pekarek, A. E. H. Oehler, T. Südmeyer, J. M. Dudley, and U. Keller
CMX5 Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics (CLEO:S&I) 2010
S. Schilt, V. Dolgovskiy, N. Bucalovic, L. Tombez, M. C. Stumpf, G. Di Domenico, C. Schori, S. Pekarek, A. E. H. Oehler, T. Südmeyer, U. Keller, and P. Thomann
CFK3 CLEO: Science and Innovations (CLEO:S&I) 2011