Dual frequency laser with two continuously and widely tunable frequencies for optical referencing of GHz to THz beatnotes

Abstract

A dual-frequency 1.55 µm laser for CW low noise microwave, millimeter and sub millimeter wave synthesis is demonstrated, where frequency stabilization is possible on each wavelength independently. The solid state Er:Yb laser output power is 7 mW. The amplitude noise is -150 dBc/Hz at 1 MHz offset frequency. In free running regime, the frequency noise is 3.10(5)/f Hz/sqrt(Hz) (800 Hz on a 1µs timescale), better than commercial fibered or semi-conductor sources at this wavelength.