Stabilized free space optical frequency transfer using digitally enhanced heterodyne interferometry

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.

Phase-Noise Characterization in Stable Optical Frequency Transfer over Free Space and Fiber Link Testbeds

“…Another innovative approach utilized pseudo-random binary sequences and significantly improved the stability and robustness of optical frequency transfer in FSO links under turbulent conditions [34]. Even though the FSO is usually considered point-to-point technology, the authors in [35] report on the exciting concept of high-performance silica integrated two-dimensional lens-assisted beam-steering array allowing the point-to-multipoint free-space optical frequency transfer.…”