Ultraprecise optical-frequency stabilization with heterogeneous III-V/Si lasers

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates ultraprecise optical frequency stabilization of heterogeneously integrated III-V/Si lasers using a high-finesse resonator, achieving a linewidth of 60 Hz and high stability suitable for advanced photonic applications.

Contribution

It introduces a hybrid heterogeneously integrated laser-resonator system that achieves ultra-narrow linewidth and high stability on a chip-scale platform, advancing integrated photonics capabilities.

Findings

Achieved a 60 Hz linewidth in integrated lasers.

Demonstrated fractional frequency stability of 2.5e-13 at 1 second.

Showcased potential for chip-scale, stable, narrow-linewidth lasers.

Abstract

Demand for low-noise, continuous-wave, frequency-tunable lasers based on semiconductor integrated photonics has been advancing in support of numerous applications. In particular, an important goal is to achieve narrow spectral linewidth, commensurate with bulk-optic or fiber-optic laser platforms. Here, we report on laser-frequency-stabilization experiments with a heterogeneously integrated III/V-Si widely tunable laser and a high-finesse, thermal-noise-limited photonic resonator. This hybrid architecture offers a chip-scale optical-frequency reference with an integrated linewidth of 60 Hz and a fractional frequency stability of 2.5e-13 at 1-second integration time. We explore the potential for stabilization with respect to a resonator with lower thermal noise by characterizing laser-noise contributions such as residual amplitude modulation and photodetection noise. Widely tunable, compact and integrated, cost effective, stable and narrow linewidth lasers are envisioned for use in various fields, including communication, spectroscopy, and metrology.