Application of Brillouin scattering to optical frequency combs

Abstract

Optical frequency combs are a useful tool for measuring reference laser frequency whose uncertainty depends on the stability and accuracy of the reference clock. The relative uncertainty of the laser frequency measurements in the optical telecommunication band with the frequency comb technique is estimated around 10 -12 . In this paper, we present the development and implementation of a filtering technique on an optical frequency comb based on an Erbium optical fiber oscillator using Brillouin scattering amplification. This filtering technique allows us to isolate and transmit frequencies generated by a stabilized optical frequency comb. This method has been developed for the remote comparison of frequency combs. Finally, we present the characterization of the optical frequency comb and its application to the calibration of high wavelength resolution meters in the optical telecommunications window. Measurements with uncertainties under the resolution of the own instrument were achieved using stabilized lasers at molecular absorptions. The result is a significant improvement of the measurement capability given by the current equipment.