We present a differential absorption lidar (DIAL) laser transmitter concept designed around a Nested Cavity Optical Parametric Oscillator (NesCOPO) based Master Oscillator Power Amplifier (MOPA). The spectral bands are located around 2051 nm for CO2 probing and 1982 nm for H216O and HD16O water vapor isotopes. This laser is aimed at being integrated into an airborne lidar, intended to demonstrate future spaceborne instrument characteristics: high-energy (several tens of mJ nanosecond pulses) and high optical frequency stability (less than a few hundreds of kHz long term drift). For integration and efficiency purposes, the proposed design is oriented toward the use of state-of-the-art high aperture periodically poled nonlinear materials. This approach is supported by numerical calculations and preliminary experimental validations, showing that it is possible to achieve energies in the 40–50 mJ range, reaching the requirement levels for spaceborne Integrated Path Differential Absorption (IPDA) measurements. We also propose a frequency referencing technique based on beat note measurement of the laser signal with a self-stabilized optical frequency comb, which is expected to enable frequency measurement precisions better than a few 100 kHz over tens of seconds integration time, and will then be used to feed the cavity locking of the NesCOPO.
We report on the current design and preliminary developments of the airborne Lidar Emitter and Multi-species greenhouse gases Observation iNstrument (LEMON), which is aiming at probing H 2 O and its isotope HDO at 1982 nm, CO 2 at 2051 nm, and potentially CH 4 at 2290 nm, with the Differential Absorption Lidar method (DIAL). The infrared emitter is based on the combination of two Nested Cavity OPOs (NesCOPOs) with a single optical parametric amplifier (OPA) line for high-energy pulse generation. This configuration is enabled by the use of high-aperture periodically poled KTP crystals (PPKTP), which provide efficient amplification in the spectral range of interest around 2 μm with slight temperature adjustments. The parametric stages are pumped with a Nd:YAG laser providing 200 mJ nanosecond double pulses at 75 Hz. According to parametric conversion simulations supported by current laboratory experiments, output energies in the 40 -50 mJ range are expected in the extracted signal beam whilst maintaining a good beam quality (M² < 2). The ruler for all the optical frequencies involved in the system is planned to be provided by a GPS referenced frequency comb with large mode spacing (1 GHz) against which the emitter output pulses can be heterodyned. The frequency precision measurement is expected to be better than 200 kHz for the optical frequencies of interest. The presentation will give an overview of the key elements of design and of preliminary experimental characterizations of sub-systems building blocks.
In this paper, we present a novel single stage quantum frequency conversion (QFC) scheme based on an enhancement cavity, which allows for high conversion efficiencies with record low noise levels, 100 times smaller than in previous systems and close to the thermal background. Our approach represents a significant improvement over traditional QFC methods that rely on periodically poled waveguide crystals, which typically produce high levels of noise with input wavelengths in the visible spectrum. One of the key challenges in QFC is the generation of noise photons - photons that are not part of the desired output state. Those noise photons are one of the major limitations of today’s quantum network experiments. It has been widely believed that single stage QFC of qubit photons in the visible range would result in too many noise photons in the telecom band, because of SPDC induced by the short wavelength driver laser. However, using the enhancement cavity design, we are able to overcome this challenge and demonstrate high-fidelity QFC from the visible to telecom band. Our results have important implications for the development of practical QFC devices for a range of applications, including quantum communication and quantum networks, where low noise levels are critical.
In this paper, we present a novel single stage quantum frequency conversion (QFC) scheme based on an enhancement cavity, which allows for high conversion efficiencies with record low noise levels, 100 times smaller than in previous systems and close to the thermal background. Our approach represents a significant improvement over traditional QFC methods that rely on periodically poled waveguide crystals, which typically produce high levels of noise with input wavelengths in the visible spectrum. One of the key challenges in QFC is the generation of noise photons - photons that are not part of the desired output state. Those noise photons are one of the major limitations of today’s quantum network experiments. It has been widely believed that single stage QFC of qubit photons in the visible range would result in too many noise photons in the telecom band, because of SPDC induced by the short wavelength driver laser. However, using the enhancement cavity design, we are able to overcome this challenge and demonstrate high-fidelity QFC from the visible to telecom band. Our results have important implications for the development of practical QFC devices for a range of applications, including quantum communication and quantum networks, where low noise levels are critical.
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