Transmission of precise phase coherent optical signals using a VCSEL stabilization system

Abstract

To improve the time and frequency reference standards used for radio astronomy and high precision atomic physics applications, we describe a novel stable frequency transmission technique. The approach uses a vertical-cavity surface- emitting laser (VCSEL) based phase correction actuator. Using a frequency mixing process for feedback control, the phase noise induced along the 26 km G.655 optical fibre link was actively reduced. This was achieved by using a 1 310 nm dither controlled VCSEL phase error correction actuator together with the inherent chromatic dispersion properties of the fibre. The technique corrects phase noise and optical signal drift along the fibre at the transmission end. Fractional frequency instabilities across the G.655 fibre link of 4.44×10⁻¹² at 1 s and 4.86×10⁻¹⁴ at 10⁴ s are successfully reported.

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