Double Rayleigh scattering in a digitally enhanced, all-fiber optical frequency reference

We demonstrate a passive, all-optical fiber frequency reference using a digitally enhanced homodyne interferometric phase readout. We model the noise contributions from fiber thermal noise and the coupling of double Rayleigh scattering in a digitally enhanced homodyne interferometer. A system frequency stability of 0.1 Hz/root Hz is achieved above 100 Hz, which coincides with the double Rayleigh scattering estimate and is approximately a factor of five above the thermo-dynamic noise limit. (C) 2021 Optical Society of America under the terms of the OSA Open Access Publishing Agreement

Automated summary

A passive, all-optical fiber frequency reference system is demonstrated using a digitally enhanced homodyne interferometric phase readout. The system achieves a frequency stability of 0.1 Hz/root Hz above 100 Hz, which is five times above the thermo-dynamic noise limit.