Atmospheric transfer of optical and radio frequency clock signals

摘要

The phase instability induced during the transfer of radio frequency and optical clock signals through thenturbulent atmosphere was measured in a rooftop experiment. Radio frequency intensity modulation of a la-nser to transmit signals over 100 m results in an Allan deviation of 1.31u000110−10 at 1s. Optical transfer isnmore accurate at 1.68u000110−13 at 1s. As a consequence, fiber links are more suitable for the transfer of opticalnfrequencies over very long distances while free space transmission might find applications in short distancesnof less than 1km. © 2009 Optical Society of America