Direct frequency comb generation from an octave-spanning, prismless Ti:sapphire laser.
We describe a self-referenced optical frequency comb generator based on an octave-spanning, prismless Ti:sapphire laser. Dispersion compensation is provided by novel double-chirped mirror pairs and BaF2 wedges. Current versions operate at 80 and 150 MHz. The compact prismless design allows system scaling to a gigahertz repetition rate. Its carrier-envelope beat note is intrinsically stable with a signal-to-noise ratio of 30 dB in a 100-kHz bandwidth. The octave is reached at 25 dB below the average power level. The in-loop accumulated phase error is 1.4 rad (20 mHz to 1 MHz). The technique has the advantages of simplicity and stability compared with previous designs.
Department of Physics and Research Laboratory of Electronics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA. lia@mit.edu
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Matos
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Kleppner
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Kuzucu
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Schibli
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Kim
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Ippen
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Kaertner