Compact, ultrahigh repetition rate, and ultrastable laser based on a novel microcavity resonator mode-locking scheme (phase I)

超短脉冲锁模激光器因其在飞秒时间尺度内传输大量能量的能力以及在光谱学中探测超快过程的潜力而变得越来越有用。高品质因数玻璃基谐振器的锁相模式能力最近被用来展示光学频率梳，从而实现高重复频率和超短脉冲锁模激光器。反过来，这些激光器受益于高光谱质量，可用于实现新的光源，如精密光学钟，用于计量、电信和计算等领域的应用。在这个创意到创新的项目中，我们建议建立、研究和改进一种新型的超短脉冲、高重复频率、锁相激光器的原型，该激光器可直接应用于回程自由空间通信。本发明基于微腔谐振器，将通过采用一种创新的耗散四波混频(DFWM)方法来实现，该方法最近被称为滤波器驱动四波混频(FD-FWM)，并由该项目的PI开发。在该方案中，将滤波器和非线性结合在一个器件中，从而克服了以往DFWM系统中存在的许多限制和问题，允许对激光输出参数进行前所未有的控制，如重复频率、脉冲宽度、功率和稳定性。我们的项目将集中于商业生产过程的实施，以完全基于商业上可获得的低成本部件来建造激光原型。FD-FWM锁模激光方案已经引起了制造电信波长激光系统的公司的极大兴趣，因为它具有以相对简单和紧凑的激光器设计实现稳定和超快振荡的高潜力。这项技术的好处包括大幅提高性能、降低成本、紧凑尺寸和降低功耗。加拿大正在取得的经济成功取决于其继续创新的能力，以及将大学的新技术应用于市场的能力。这个项目是实现这一目标的绝佳机会，可能会导致一家高科技公司的创建。

Ultrashort pulse mode-locked lasers have become increasingly useful due to their ability to transfer large amounts of energy in femtosecond time scales, and their potential in spectroscopy to probe ultrafast processes. The ability to phase-lock the modes of high-quality factor, glass-based resonators has recently been exploited to demonstrate optical frequency combs, allowing high repetition rate and ultrashort pulse mode-locked lasers. In turn, these lasers benefit from a high spectral quality that can be used to realize novel sources, such as precision optical clocks, for applications in the areas of metrology, telecommunications, and computing, amongst others. In this Idea to Innovation project, we propose to build, investigate and improve a prototype of a novel and ultrashort pulse, high repetition rate, phase-locked laser that has direct applications for backhaul free space communications. The invention, based on a micro-cavity resonator, will be realized by adopting an innovative approach towards Dissipative Four Wave Mixing (DFWM), recently termed Filter Driven Four Wave Mixing (FD-FWM), and developed by the PI of the project. In this scheme, a filter and nonlinearity are combined in a single device, thereby surpassing many limitations and problems inherit in previous DFWM systems and allowing for unprecedented control of the laser output parameters, such as repetition rate, pulse duration, power and stability. Our project will focus on the implementation of commercial production processes to build a laser prototype fully based on commercially available low-cost components. The FD-FWM mode-locking laser scheme has already raised significant interest in companies that manufacture laser systems at telecom wavelengths, due to the high potential in achieving stable and ultrafast oscillation with a relatively simple and compact laser design. Benefits of this technology include a substantial increase in performance, lowered costs, compact size, and decreased power consumption. Canada's on-going economic success depends on its ability to continue to innovate and to deploy new technologies from universities into the marketplace. This project is an excellent opportunity to accomplish this, and possibly leading to the creation of a high-tech company.