Stabilized free space optical frequency transfer using digitally enhanced heterodyne interferometry

Free-space continuous-wave laser interferometry using folded links has applications in precision measurement for velocimetry, vibrometry, optical communications, and verification of frequency transfer for metrology. However, prompt reflections from the transceiver optics degrade the performance of these systems, especially when the power of the returning signal is equal to or less than the power of the prompt reflections. We demonstrate phase stabilized free-space continuous-wave optical frequency transfer that exploits the auto-correlation properties of pseudo-random binary sequences to filter out prompt reflections. We show that this system significantly improves the stability and robustness of optical frequency transfer over a 750 m turbulent free-space channel, achieving a best fractional frequency stability of 8 x 10-20 at an integration time of & tau; = 512 s, and cycle-slip-free periods up to 162 min. & COPY; 2023 Optica Publishing Group

Automated summary

Free-space continuous-wave laser interferometry using folded links is widely used for precision measurement in various fields. However, the performance of these systems is affected by prompt reflections from the transceiver optics. In this study, we demonstrate a phase stabilized free-space continuous-wave optical frequency transfer method that effectively filters out prompt reflections using auto-correlation properties of pseudo-random binary sequences. The results show significant improvement in stability and robustness, achieving a best fractional frequency stability of 8 x 10-20 and cycle-slip-free periods up to 162 minutes over a turbulent free-space channel of 750 m.