Limits and prospects for long-baseline optical fiber interferometry

TL;DR

This paper reviews the current noise performance of conventional optical fibers used in precision measurements like gravitational-wave detection and atomic clocks, highlighting limitations and future opportunities with structured fiber technology.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive analysis of the noise limitations in conventional fibers and discusses potential improvements through structured fiber technology for quantum and precision measurements.

Findings

Conventional optical fibers have significant noise limitations for precision measurements.

Structured fiber technology offers promising avenues to overcome current noise challenges.

The review identifies key areas for future research in fiber-based quantum sensing.

Abstract

Today's most precise optical instruments -- gravitational-wave interferometers and optical atomic clocks -- rely on long storage times for photons to realize their exquisite sensitivity. Optical fiber technology is the most widely deployed platform for realizing long-distance optical propagation. Yet, their application to precision optical measurements is sparse. We review the state-of-the-art in the noise performance of conventional (solid-core) optical fibers from the perspective of precision optical measurements and quantum technology that rely on precise transfer of information over long distances. In doing so, we highlight the limitations of this platform and point to the opportunities that structured fiber technology offers to overcome some of these limitations.