Subspace tracking for independent phase noise source separation in frequency combs

Advanced digital signal processing techniques in combination with ultra-wideband balanced coherent detection have enabled a new generation of ultra-high speed fiber-optic communication systems, by moving most of the processing functionalities into digital domain. In this paper, we demonstrate how digital signal processing techniques, in combination with ultra-wideband balanced coherent detection can enable optical frequency comb noise characterization techniques with novel functionalities. We propose a measurement method based on subspace tracking, in combination with multi-heterodyne coherent detection, for independent phase noise sources identification, separation and measurement. Our proposed measurement technique offers several benefits. First, it enables the separation of the total phase noise associated with a particular comb-line or -lines into multiple independent phase noise terms associated with different noise sources. Second, it facilitates the determination of the scaling of each independent phase noise term with comb-line number. Our measurement technique can be used to: identify the most dominant source of phase noise; gain a better understanding of the physics behind the phase noise accumulation process; and confirm, already existing, and enable better phase noise models. In general, our measurement technique provides new insights into noise behavior of optical frequency combs

Subspace tracking for phase noise source separation in frequency combs

It is widely acknowledged that the phase noise of an optical frequency comb primarily stems from the common mode (carrier-envelope) and the repetition rate phase noise. However, owing to technical noise sources or other intricate intra-cavity factors, residual phase noise components, distinct from the common mode and the repetition rate phase noise, may also exist. We introduce a measurement technique that combines subspace tracking and multi-heterodyne coherent detection for the separation of different phase noise sources. This method allows us to break down the overall phase noise sources associated with a specific comb-line into distinct phase noise components associated with the common mode, the repetition rate and the residual phase noise terms. The measurement method allow us, for the first time, to identify and measure residual phase noise sources of a frequency modulated mode-locked laser.</p