Stabilized free space optical frequency transfer using digitally enhanced heterodyne interferometry

Shawn McSorley, David R. Gozzard, Skevos F. E. Karpathakis, Benjamin P. Dix-Matthews, Sascha W. Schediwy

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Free-space continuous-wave laser interferometry using folded links has applications in precision measurement for velocimetry, vibrometry, optical communications, and verification of frequency transfer for metrology. However, prompt reflections from the transceiver optics degrade the performance of these systems, especially when the power of the returning signal is equal to or less than the power of the prompt reflections. We demonstrate phase-stabilized free-space continuous-wave optical frequency transfer that exploits the auto-correlation properties of pseudo-random binary sequences to filter out prompt reflections. We show that this system significantly improves the stability and robustness of optical frequency transfer over a 750 m turbulent free-space channel, achieving a best fractional frequency stability of 8 × 10−20 at an integration time of τ = 512 s, and cycle-slip-free periods up to 162 min.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3637-3640
Number of pages4
JournalOptics Letters
Volume48
Issue number14
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15 Jul 2023

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Stabilized free space optical frequency transfer using digitally enhanced heterodyne interferometry'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this