Optical frequency comb generator with carrier envelope offset frequency detection
AssigneeIpg Photonics Corporation
InventorSergey Vasilyev
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Abstract
The present invention provides systems and methods for optical frequency comb generation with self-generated optical harmonics in mode-locked lasers for detecting the carrier envelope offset frequency. The mode-locked laser outputs an optical frequency comb and a harmonic output. The harmonic output provides an optical heterodyne resulting in a detectable beat note. A carrier envelope offset frequency detector detects the beat note and generates an optical frequency comb signal. The signal can be used to stabilize the optical frequency comb output.
Claims12
An optical frequency comb generator system comprising, a femtosecond (fs) mode-locked laser oscillator simultaneously outputting:
- a first frequency comb at a first central optical frequency, and
- a least one second frequency comb at a second central optical frequency which is different from the first central frequency, wherein the first and one second frequency combs spectrally overlap one another in overlap spectral regions in which the first and second combs heterodyne beat against one another;
- and
- a photodetector configured to detect a heterodyne signal generated by the heterodyne beating and corresponding to a carrier envelope offset frequency.
A method of providing an optical frequency comb comprising;
- simultaneously outputting at least two overlapped optical frequency combs at respective first and second central frequencies, which are different from one another, from a mode-locked laser, wherein the first and second overlapped combs heterodyne beating against one another in overlapped spectral regions, thereby generating a heterodyne signal;
- detecting the heterodyne signal;
- and
- generating a signal corresponding to the carrier envelope offset frequency based on the detected heterodyne signal.
A method of detecting a carrier envelope offset frequency in a Kerr lens mode-locked mid-IR polycrystalline Cr:ZnS oscillator based laser system with a self-generating harmonic output, the method comprising;
- simultaneously outputting multiple optical frequency combs at respective central frequencies, which are different from one another and include a fundamental frequency and multiple higher harmonics thereof, directly in the Cr:ZnS material, at least two combs overlapping one another in overlap spectral regions, wherein the overlapped combs produce a heterodyne signal;
- and
- detecting the heterodyne signal, and generating a signal corresponding to carrier envelope offset frequency based on the detected heterodyne signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.