Summary:
Researchers in UCLA’s Electrical and Computer Engineering Department have developed a groundbreaking method to stabilize carrier envelope phase (CEP) shifts, achieving record-low phase noise and ultraprecise frequency detection.
Background:
Frequency combs enable highly precise optical frequency measurements critical for applications in spectroscopy, imaging, and quantum systems. However, current systems struggle to overcome phase noise, which significantly distorts signals and limits accuracy. Existing solutions, such as active noise correction, often fail to completely eliminate noise and are hindered by slow response times. Thus, there is an unmet need for a capable frequency comb with ultrastable, ultraprecise transmission of all signals with negligible noise.
Innovation:
Professor Sergio Carbajo Garcia and his research team have developed an innovative feed-forward based method to significantly eliminate signal noise for radiofrequency signals. The proposed method drastically reduces phase noise with a record-low of 13 milliradians. Such a precise frequency comb enables generation of stable beating frequencies which can be detected distinctly by photodetectors. This innovation enhances the accuracy and sensitivity of optical systems relying on precise signal transmission, underscoring the opportunity to revolutionize systems with high-resolution frequency measurements.
Potential Applications:
● Biohazardous material or gas detection
● Biomedical diagnostics
● Quantum sensing and computing
● Environmental monitoring
● Optical communication
Advantages:
● High signal stability
● Minimal phase noise
● Enhanced frequency accuracy
State of Development:
Successfully demonstrated using a mode-locked laser, proving effective phase stabilization.
Related Papers:
1. Randy Lemons, Wei Liu, Irene Fernandez de Fuentes, Stefan Droste, Günter Steinmeyer, Charles G. Durfee, and Sergio Carbajo, “Carrier-envelope phase stabilization of an Er:Yb:glass laser via a feed-forward technique” Opt. Lett.44, 5610-5613 (2019)
2. Jack Hirschman, Randy Lemons, Evan Chansky, Günter Steinmeyer, and Sergio Carbajo, “Long-term hybridstabilization of the carrier-envelope phase” Opt. Express 28, 34093-34103 (2020)
Reference:
UCLA Case No. 2025-073
Lead Inventor:
Sergio Carbajo Garcia, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering