200 research outputs found
A Kerr-microresonator optical clockwork
Kerr microresonators generate interesting and useful fundamental states of
electromagnetic radiation through nonlinear interactions of continuous-wave
(CW) laser light. Using photonic-integration techniques, functional devices
with low noise, small size, low-power consumption, scalable fabrication, and
heterogeneous combinations of photonics and electronics can be realized. Kerr
solitons, which stably circulate in a Kerr microresonator, have emerged as a
source of coherent, ultrafast pulse trains and ultra-broadband
optical-frequency combs. Using the f-2f technique, Kerr combs support
carrier-envelope-offset phase stabilization for optical synthesis and
metrology. In this paper, we introduce a Kerr-microresonator optical clockwork
based on optical-frequency division (OFD), which is a powerful technique to
transfer the fractional-frequency stability of an optical clock to a lower
frequency electronic clock signal. The clockwork presented here is based on a
silicon-nitride (SiN) microresonator that supports an optical-frequency
comb composed of soliton pulses at 1 THz repetition rate. By electro-optic
phase modulation of the entire SiN comb, we arbitrarily generate
additional CW modes between the SiN comb modes; operationally, this
reduces the pulse train repetition frequency and can be used to implement OFD
to the microwave domain. Our experiments characterize the residual frequency
noise of this Kerr-microresonator clockwork to one part in , which
opens the possibility of using Kerr combs with high performance optical clocks.
In addition, the photonic integration and 1 THz resolution of the SiN
frequency comb makes it appealing for broadband, low-resolution liquid-phase
absorption spectroscopy, which we demonstrate with near infrared measurements
of water, lipids, and organic solvents
An optical-frequency synthesizer using integrated photonics
Optical-frequency synthesizers, which generate frequency-stable light from a single microwave-frequency reference, are revolutionizing ultrafast science and metrology, but their size, power requirement and cost need to be reduced if they are to be more widely used. Integrated-photonics microchips can be used in high-coherence applications, such as data transmission, highly optimized physical sensors and harnessing quantum states, to lower cost and increase efficiency and portability. Here we describe a method for synthesizing the absolute frequency of a lightwave signal, using integrated photonics to create a phase-coherent microwave-to-optical link. We use a heterogeneously integrated iii–v/silicon tunable laser, which is guided by nonlinear frequency combs fabricated on separate silicon chips and pumped by off-chip lasers. The laser frequency output of our optical-frequency synthesizer can be programmed by a microwave clock across 4 terahertz near 1,550 nanometres (the telecommunications C-band) with 1 hertz resolution. Our measurements verify that the output of the synthesizer is exceptionally stable across this region (synthesis error of 7.7 × 10^(−15) or below). Any application of an optical-frequency source could benefit from the high-precision optical synthesis presented here. Leveraging high-volume semiconductor processing built around advanced materials could allow such low-cost, low-power and compact integrated-photonics devices to be widely used
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Heterodyne-based hybrid controller for wide dynamic range optoelectronic frequency synthesis
Chip scale optical frequency combs using microresonators can enable a wide variety of applications from metrology to telecommunications. While tremendous progress has been made in miniaturizing the optical components, sources of variability and drift due to ambient conditions often limit their performance. We describe the design and implementation of a mixed-signal controller for optoelectronic frequency synthesis with notable frequency stability by locking it to an RF reference. A C-band tunable laser is phase-locked using commercial off the shelf components and custom board-level designs. Utilizing several laser inputs, our hybrid control loop enables a 50 nm tuning range with less than 10-12 frequency instability for 1 second averaging. A heterodyne receiver overcomes poor SNR of the photonics, and also features a scan-and-lock algorithm to facilitate an extended acquisition range. We report > 500 GHz frequency steps in 4.4 ms. All of the frequency settings and loop stability dynamics are programmable in real-time via a custom Graphical User Interface.</p
Architecture for the photonic integration of an optical atomic clock
Laboratory optical atomic clocks achieve remarkable accuracy (now counted to 18 digits or more), opening possibilities to explore fundamental physics and enable new measurements. However, their size and use of bulk components prevent them from being more widely adopted in applications that require precision timing. By leveraging silicon-chip photonics for integration and to reduce component size and complexity, we demonstrate a compact optical-clock architecture. Here a semiconductor laser is stabilized to an optical transition in a microfabricated rubidium vapor cell, and a pair of interlocked Kerr-microresonator frequency combs provide fully coherent optical division of the clock laser to generate an electronic 22 GHz clock signal with a fractional frequency instability of one part in 10^(13). These results demonstrate key concepts of how to use silicon-chip devices in future portable and ultraprecise optical clocks
An Integrated-Photonics Optical-Frequency Synthesizer
Integrated-photonics microchips now enable a range of advanced
functionalities for high-coherence applications such as data transmission,
highly optimized physical sensors, and harnessing quantum states, but with
cost, efficiency, and portability much beyond tabletop experiments. Through
high-volume semiconductor processing built around advanced materials there
exists an opportunity for integrated devices to impact applications cutting
across disciplines of basic science and technology. Here we show how to
synthesize the absolute frequency of a lightwave signal, using integrated
photonics to implement lasers, system interconnects, and nonlinear frequency
comb generation. The laser frequency output of our synthesizer is programmed by
a microwave clock across 4 THz near 1550 nm with 1 Hz resolution and
traceability to the SI second. This is accomplished with a heterogeneously
integrated III/V-Si tunable laser, which is guided by dual
dissipative-Kerr-soliton frequency combs fabricated on silicon chips. Through
out-of-loop measurements of the phase-coherent, microwave-to-optical link, we
verify that the fractional-frequency instability of the integrated photonics
synthesizer matches the reference-clock instability for a 1
second acquisition, and constrain any synthesis error to while
stepping the synthesizer across the telecommunication C band. Any application
of an optical frequency source would be enabled by the precision optical
synthesis presented here. Building on the ubiquitous capability in the
microwave domain, our results demonstrate a first path to synthesis with
integrated photonics, leveraging low-cost, low-power, and compact features that
will be critical for its widespread use.Comment: 10 pages, 6 figure
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Terahertz-Rate Kerr-Microresonator Optical Clockwork
Kerr microresonators generate interesting and useful fundamental states of electromagnetic radiation through nonlinear interactions of continuous-wave (CW) laser light. With photonic-integration techniques, functional devices with low noise, small size, low-power consumption, scalable fabrication, and heterogeneous combinations of photonics and electronics can be realized. Kerr solitons, which stably circulate in a Kerr microresonator, have emerged as a source of coherent, ultrafast pulse trains and ultra-broadband optical-frequency combs. Using the f−2f technique, Kerr combs can support carrier-envelope-offset phase stabilization to enable optical synthesis and metrology. Here, we introduce a Kerr-microresonator optical clockwork, which is a foundational device that distributes optical-clock signals to the mode-difference frequency of a comb. Our clockwork is based on a silicon-nitride (Si3N4) microresonator that generates a Kerr-soliton frequency comb with a repetition frequency of 1 THz. We measure our terahertz clockwork by electro-optic modulation with a microwave signal, enabling optical-based timing experiments in this wideband and high-speed frequency range. Moreover, by EO phase modulation of our entire Kerr-soliton comb, we arbitrarily generate additional CW modes between the 1-THz modes to reduce the repetition frequency and increase the resolution of the comb. Our experiments characterize the absolute frequency noise of this Kerr-microresonator clockwork to one part in 1017, which is the highest accuracy and precision ever reported with this technology and opens the possibility of measuring high-performance optical clocks with Kerr combs.</p
A randomized controlled trial investigation of a non-stimulant in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ACTION): Rationale and design
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The ACTION study (<it>Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder Controlled Trial Investigation Of a Non-stimulant) </it>is a multi-center, double-blind, randomized cross-over trial of the non-stimulant medication, Atomoxetine, in children and adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The primary aims are to examine the efficacy of atomoxetine for improving cognition and emotional function in ADHD and whether any improvements in these outcomes are more pronounced in participants with comorbid anxiety; and to determine if changes in these outcomes after atomoxetine are more reliable than changes in diagnostic symptoms of ADHD. This manuscript will describe the methodology and rationale for the ACTION study.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Children and adolescents aged 6 - 17 y with ADHD will be enrolled. Clinical interview and validated scales will be used to confirm diagnosis and screen for exclusion criteria, which include concurrent stimulant use, and comorbid psychiatric or neurological conditions other than anxiety. Three assessment sessions will be conducted over the 13-week study period: Session 1 (Baseline, pre-treatment), Session 2 (six weeks, atomoxetine or placebo), and Session 3 (13 weeks, cross-over after one-week washout period). The standardized touch-screen battery, "IntegNeuro™", will be used to assess cognitive and emotional function. The primary measure of response will be symptom ratings, while quality of life will be a secondary outcome. Logistic regression will be used to determine predictors of treatment response, while repeated measures of analysis will determine any differences in effect of atomoxetine and placebo.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The methodology for the ACTION study has been detailed.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The ACTION study is the first controlled trial to investigate the efficacy of atomoxetine using objective cognitive and emotional function markers, and whether these objective measures predict outcomes with atomoxetine in ADHD with and without comorbid anxiety. First enrollment was in March 2008. The outcomes of this study will be a significant step towards a 'personalized medicine' (and therefore a more efficient) approach to ADHD treatment.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry <a href="http://www.anzctr.org.au/ANZCTRN12607000535471.aspx">ANZCTRN12607000535471</a>.</p
Changes to serum sample tube and processing methodology does not cause inter-individual variation in automated whole serum N-glycan profiling in health and disease
Serum N-glycans have been identified as putative biomarkers for numerous diseases. The impact of different serum sample tubes and processing methods on N-glycan analysis has received relatively little attention. This study aimed to determine the effect of different sample tubes and processing methods on the whole serum N-glycan profile in both health and disease. A secondary objective was to describe a robot automated N-glycan release, labeling and cleanup process for use in a biomarker discovery system.25 patients with active and quiescent inflammatory bowel disease and controls had three different serum sample tubes taken at the same draw. Two different processing methods were used for three types of tube (with and without gel-separation medium). Samples were randomised and processed in a blinded fashion. Whole serum N-glycan release, 2-aminobenzamide labeling and cleanup was automated using a Hamilton Microlab STARlet Liquid Handling robot. Samples were analysed using a hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography/ethylene bridged hybrid(BEH) column on an ultra-high performance liquid chromatography instrument. Data were analysed quantitatively by pairwise correlation and hierarchical clustering using the area under each chromatogram peak. Qualitatively, a blinded assessor attempted to match chromatograms to each individual.There was small intra-individual variation in serum N-glycan profiles from samples collected using different sample processing methods. Intra-individual correlation coefficients were between 0.99 and 1. Unsupervised hierarchical clustering and principal coordinate analyses accurately matched samples from the same individual. Qualitative analysis demonstrated good chromatogram overlay and a blinded assessor was able to accurately match individuals based on chromatogram profile, regardless of disease status.The three different serum sample tubes processed using the described methods cause minimal inter-individual variation in serum whole N-glycan profile when processed using an automated workstream. This has important implications for N-glycan biomarker discovery studies using different serum processing standard operating procedures
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