I. Lorgeré

Demonstration of a radio-frequency spectrum analyzer based on spectral hole burning.

Spectral hole-burning (SHB) technology is considered for >10‐GHz instantaneous bandwidth signal-processing applications. In this context we report on what is believed to be the first demonstration of a SHB microwave spectrometer. A set of gratings engraved in a SHB crystal is used to filter one sideband of the optically carried microwave signal. The setup is confined to narrow-bandwidth operation, over a 35-MHz-wide interval. The first findings confirm the validity of the architecture in terms of spectral resolution, angular channel separation, and simultaneous detection of multiple spectral lines.

10-GHz bandwidth RF spectral analyzer with MHz resolution based on spectral hole burning in Tm/sup 3+/:YAG

We demonstrate the first 10-GHz instantaneous bandwidth radio-frequency spectrum analyzer based on spectral hole burning in Tm/sup 3+/:YAG. It exhibits 10 000 frequency channels and a resolution better than 1 MHz. Thanks to the fast and linear chirping capabilities of the laser used, it has a potential 100% probability of interception and a response time in the millisecond range. Its linear dynamic range of 16 dB is presently essentially limited by the modest amount of optical power available and can be further improved.

High-resolution radio frequency spectral analysis with photon echo chirp transform in an Er:YSO crystal

We demonstrate implementation of the chirp transform algorithm with photon echoes in an Er/sup 3+/:YSO crystal at 1536 nm for application to spectral analysis of RF signals. The principle and features of the technique are presented using a simple picture in the time-frequency plane. Experimental results with low-bandwidth RF signals demonstrate 40-kHz spectral resolution and a time-bandwidth product of 500. Extension to broad-band RF signals is discussed.

Phase locking of a frequency agile laser

The authors report on the development and phase locking of a frequency agile laser. The use of a simple unbalanced Mach-Zehnder interferometer together with a wideband phase-locked loop permits to control very fast frequency chirps (up to 3GHz in 5μs) with an excellent precision (frequency error less than 100kHz). The servoloop could be applied to many tunable lasers.

Demonstration of a radio-frequency spectrum analyser based on spectral hole burning

We demonstrate application of spectral hole burning to the spectral analysis of broad-band rf signals. In quite the same way as an acousto-optic spectrometer, the device operates on an optically carried rf signal and achieves angular separation of the signal spectral components. An instantaneous bandwidth of 2.5 GHz has been achieved, with a power dynamic range of 35 dB, limited by the detector. Extension to greater than 10 GHz instantaneous bandwidth with greater than 1000 channels is consistent with the active material capabilities.

Experimental tailoring of a three-level Λ system in Tm 3 + : YAG

Quantum information transfer from light to atom ensembles and vice versa has both basic and practical importance. Among the relevant topics let us mention entanglement and decoherence of macroscopic systems, together with applications to quantum memory for long distance quantum cryptography. Although the first experimental demonstrations have been performed in atomic vapors and clouds, rare earth ion doped crystals are also interesting media for such processes. In this paper we address

Time-to-frequency Fourier transformation with photon echoes

{\mathrm{Tm}}^{3+}

Active stabilization of a rapidly chirped laser by an optoelectronic digital servo-loop control.

ions capability to behave as three-level

RF spectrum analysis in spectral hole burning media

\ensuremath{\Lambda}

Optical excitation of nuclear spin coherence in a Tm 3+ :YAG crystal

systems, a key ingredient to convert optical excitation into a spontaneous-emission-free spin wave. Indeed