High-dynamic-range laser amplitude and phase noise measurement techniques

Author

Scott, Ryan P. ; Langrock, Carsten ; Kolner, Brian H.

Author_Institution

Dept. of Electr. Eng., California Univ., Los Angeles, CA, USA

Volume

7

Issue

4

fYear

2001

Firstpage

641

Lastpage

655

Abstract

We describe techniques for making sensitive and high-dynamic-range measurements of laser amplitude and envelope phase noise (timing jitter) in the frequency domain at the shot-noise limit. Examples of amplitude noise measurements on continuous-wave argon-ion and diode-pumped solid-state lasers used for pumping a femtosecond Ti:sapphire laser are presented. Amplitude and phase noise measurements for the Ti:sapphire laser are also presented, showing correlation between pump laser amplitude modulation (AM) spectra and the resulting AM and phase noise. Characteristics of the measurement system components are discussed, along with examples of the impact these have on achieving reliable high-dynamic-range measurement capability

Keywords

amplitude modulation; ion lasers; laser beams; laser mode locking; laser noise; laser variables measurement; modulation spectra; noise measurement; optical modulation; optical pumping; phase noise; shot noise; solid lasers; Al₂O₃:Ti; Ar; Ti:sapphire laser; amplitude noise measurements; continuous-wave argon-ion lasers; diode-pumped solid-state lasers; dynamic range; frequency domain measurements; high-dynamic-range measurements; laser amplitude noise measurements; laser envelope phase noise measurements; laser pumping; measurement system components; mode-locked lasers; noise measurement; p-i-n photodiodes; phase noise; phase noise measurements; phase-locked loops; pump laser amplitude modulation spectra; reliable high-dynamic-range measurement; shot noise; shot-noise limit; timing jitter; Frequency domain analysis; Frequency measurement; Laser excitation; Laser noise; Noise measurement; Phase measurement; Phase noise; Pump lasers; Solid lasers; Timing jitter;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics, IEEE Journal of

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

1077-260X

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/2944.974236

Filename

974236