Optical frequency comb generation from a monolithic microresonator

Optical frequency combs provide equidistant frequency markers in the infrared, visible and ultra-violet and can link an unknown optical frequency to a radio or microwave frequency reference. Since their inception frequency combs have triggered major advances in optical frequency metrology and precision measurements and in applications such as broadband laser-based gas sensing8 and molecular fingerprinting. Early work generated frequency combs by intra-cavity phase modulation while to date frequency combs are generated utilizing the comb-like mode structure of mode-locked lasers, whose repetition rate and carrier envelope phase can be stabilized. Here, we report an entirely novel approach in which equally spaced frequency markers are generated from a continuous wave (CW) pump laser of a known frequency interacting with the modes of a monolithic high-Q microresonator13 via the Kerr nonlinearity. The intrinsically broadband nature of parametric gain enables the generation of discrete comb modes over a 500 nm wide span (ca. 70 THz) around 1550 nm without relying on any external spectral broadening. Optical-heterodyne-based measurements reveal that cascaded parametric interactions give rise to an optical frequency comb, overcoming passive cavity dispersion. The uniformity of the mode spacing has been verified to within a relative experimental precision of 7.3*10(-18).Comment: Manuscript and Supplementary Informatio

Clustering transition in a system of particles self-consistently driven by a shear flow

We introduce a simple model of active transport for an ensemble of particles driven by an external shear flow. Active refers to the fact that the flow of the particles is modified by the distribution of particles itself. The model consists in that the effective velocity of every particle is given by the average of the external flow velocities felt by the particles located at a distance less than a typical radius, $R$. Numerical analysis reveals the existence of a transition to clustering depending on the parameters of the external flow and on $R$. A continuum description in terms of the number density of particles is derived, and a linear stability analysis of the density equation is performed in order to characterize the transitions observed in the model of interacting particles.Comment: 11 pages, 2 figures. To appear in PR

Some Cautionary Remarks on Abelian Projection and Abelian Dominance

Some critical remarks are presented, concerning the abelian projection theory of quark confinement.Comment: Talk presented at LATTICE96(topology) plenary session, uses psfig and espcrc2 package

Dual regimes of ion migration in high repetition rate femtosecond laser inscribed waveguides

Ion migration in high repetition rate femtosecond laser inscribed waveguides is currently being reported in different optical glasses. For the first time we discuss and experimentally demonstrate the presence of two regimes of ion migration found in laser written waveguides. Regime-I, corresponds to the initial waveguide formation mainly via light element migration (in our case atomic weight < 31u), whereas regime-II majorly corresponds to the movement of heavy elements. This behavior brings attention to a problem which has never been analyzed before and that affects laser written active waveguides in which active ions migrate changing their local spectroscopic properties. The migration of active ions may in fact detune the pre-designed optimal values of active photonic devices. This paper experimentally evidences this problem and provides solutions to avert it.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figure

Different methods of evaluation of Monilinia laxa on apricot flowers and branches

- Organic apricot production is currently not profitable. - The main obstacle to sustainable profitability is brown rot caused by the fungus Monilinia laxa (Aderh. & Ruhl). - In the current apricot germplasm no source of total resistance has been shown, but some varieties are expressing interesting levels of tolerance. - A good evaluation of the M. laxa symptoms is essential for a precise diagnosis of the infection and to appreciate differences between tolerant and susceptible varieties and genotypes