Sub-100 attoseconds stability optics-to-microwave synchronization

摘要

We use two fiber-based femtosecond frequency combs and a low-noise carrier suppression phasendetection system to characterize the optical to microwave synchronization achievable with suchnfrequency divider systems. By applying specific noise reduction strategies, a residual phase noise asnlow as u0002120 dBc/Hz at 1 Hz offset frequency from a 11.55 GHz carrier is measured. The fractionalnfrequency instability from a single optical-to-microwave frequency divider is 1.1u000310−16nat1snaveraging down to below 2u000310−19nafter only 1000 s. The corresponding rms time deviation is lowernthan 100 attoseconds up to 1000 s averaging duration. © 2010 American Institute of Physics.nu0004doi:10.1063/1.3431299