Repetition rate stabilization of an optical frequency comb based on solid-state laser technology with an intra-cavity electro-optic modulator

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a method to stabilize the repetition rate of an optical frequency comb using an intra-cavity electro-optic modulator in a solid-state laser, achieving high bandwidth locking and low phase noise.

Contribution

It introduces the use of an intra-cavity electro-optic modulator for high-bandwidth repetition rate stabilization of a solid-state laser-based frequency comb.

Findings

Locking bandwidth up to 700 kHz achieved

In-loop phase noise of 133 mrad measured

Electro-optic modulator effectively disciplines the comb

Abstract

The repetition rate stabilization of an optical frequency comb based on diode-pumped solid-state laser technology is demonstrated using an intra-cavity electro-optic modulator. The large feedback bandwidth of such modulators allows disciplining the comb repetition rate on a cavity-stabilized continuous-wave laser with a locking bandwidth up to 700 kHz. This surpasses what can be achieved with any other type of actuator reported so far. An in-loop integrated phase noise of 133 mrad has been measured and the PM-to-AM coupling of the electro-optic modulator has been investigated as well.