Low noise amplication of an optically carried microwave signal: application to atom interferometry

TL;DR

This paper introduces a low-noise amplification scheme for an optically carried microwave signal using a semiconductor tapered amplifier, enabling high-fidelity atom interferometry with minimal added noise or performance degradation.

Contribution

The study presents a novel amplification method that preserves phase coherence and minimizes noise, improving the reliability of microwave signals in atom interferometry applications.

Findings

Amplification does not significantly increase phase noise.

The interferometer's performance remains largely unaffected by the amplification process.

Sideband generation effects are characterized and managed.

Abstract

In this paper, we report a new scheme to amplify a microwave signal carried on a laser light at $\lambda$=852nm. The amplification is done via a semiconductor tapered amplifier and this scheme is used to drive stimulated Raman transitions in an atom interferometer. Sideband generation in the amplifier, due to self-phase and amplitude modulation, is investigated and characterized. We also demonstrate that the amplifier does not induce any significant phase-noise on the beating signal. Finally, the degradation of the performances of the interferometer due to the amplification process is shown to be negligible.