20 years of developments in optical frequency comb technology and applications

TL;DR

This paper reviews 20 years of optical frequency comb development, highlighting their evolution from laboratory tools to versatile instruments enabling precise measurements across various spectral ranges.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive tutorial overview of technological advancements and applications of optical frequency combs over two decades.

Findings

Optical frequency combs revolutionized precision measurement and spectroscopy.

They enable phase and frequency transfer with high stability.

Applications span fundamental science and practical fields.

Abstract

Optical frequency combs were developed nearly two decades ago to support the world's most precise atomic clocks. Acting as precision optical synthesizers, frequency combs enable the precise transfer of phase and frequency information from a high-stability reference to hundreds of thousands of tones in the optical domain. This versatility, coupled with near-continuous spectroscopic coverage from the terahertz to the extreme ultra-violet, has enabled precision measurement capabilities in both fundamental and applied contexts. This review takes a tutorial approach to illustrate how 20 years of source development and technology has facilitated the journey of optical frequency combs from the lab into the field.