Mikko Merimaa

8 × 10⁻¹⁷ fractional laser frequency instability with a long room-temperature cavity.

We present a laser system based on a 48 cm long optical glass resonator. The large size requires a sophisticated thermal control and optimized mounting design. A self-balancing mounting was essential to reliably reach sensitivities to acceleration of below Δν/ν<2×10(-10)/g in all directions. Furthermore, fiber noise cancellations from a common reference point near the laser diode to the cavity mirror and to additional user points (Sr clock and frequency comb) are implemented. Through comparison with other cavity-stabilized lasers and with a strontium lattice clock, instability of below 1×10(-16) at averaging times from 1 to 1000 s is revealed.

Frequency stabilization of a diode-pumped Nd:Yag laser at 532 nm to iodine by using third-harmonic technique

A compact frequency standard was constructed by stabilizing the frequency of a diode-pumped Nd:YAG laser to the Doppler-free spectrum of iodine at 532 nm. The results show that by using standard third-harmonic locking technique good stability can be achieved in a relatively small, simple and inexpensive set-up.

An AC Josephson Voltage Standard for AC–DC Transfer-Standard Measurements

We describe the traceability chain of length measurements at Centre for Metrology and Accreditation (MIKES) from atomic clocks to the lasers of primary interferometers. Crucial part of the traceability chain, an optical frequency comb generator linking optical frequencies to atomic clocks, is described in detail. The frequency comb generator is used in frequency calibrations of iodine-stabilized lasers, which are operated in compliance with the recommendations of the practical realization of the definition of the meter. Measured absolute frequencies of iodine-stabilized lasers, time records of the measurements, and the respective Allan deviations demonstrate the solid performance of the MIKES laser frequency standards. The results are in good agreement with the recommended values, as well as with the independent characterizations of the measured lasers

Frequency-comb-referenced molecular spectroscopy in the mid-infrared region

A simple method for absolute-frequency measurements of molecular transitions in the mid-IR region is reported. The method is based on a cw singly resonant optical parametric oscillator (SRO), which is tunable from 3.2 to 3.45 μm. The mid-IR frequency of the SRO is referenced to an optical frequency comb through its pump and signal beams. Sub-Doppler spectroscopy and absolute-frequency measurement of the P(7) transition of the ν3 band of CH4 are demonstrated.

Traceability of Laser Frequency Calibrations at MIKES

We describe the traceability chain of length measurements at Centre for Metrology and Accreditation (MIKES) from atomic clocks to the lasers of primary interferometers. Crucial part of the traceability chain, an optical frequency comb generator linking optical frequencies to atomic clocks, is described in detail. The frequency comb generator is used in frequency calibrations of iodine-stabilized lasers, which are operated in compliance with the recommendations of the Practical Realization of the Definition of the Meter. Measured absolute frequencies of iodine-stabilized lasers, time records of the measurements, and the respective Allan deviations demonstrate the solid performance of the MIKES laser frequency standards. The results are in good agreement with the recommended values, as well as with the independent characterizations of the measured lasers.

Radiocarbon dioxide detection based on cavity ring-down spectroscopy and a quantum cascade laser

Monitoring of radiocarbon (C14) in carbon dioxide is demonstrated using mid-infrared spectroscopy and a quantum cascade laser. The measurement is based on cavity ring-down spectroscopy, and a high sensitivity is achieved with a simple setup. The instrument was tested using a standardized sample containing elevated levels of radiocarbon. Radiocarbon dioxide could be detected from samples with an isotopic ratio C14/C as low as 50 parts-per-trillion, corresponding to an activity of 5  kBq/m(3) in pure CO(2), or 2  Bq/m(3) in air after extraction of the CO(2) from an air sample. The instrument is simple, compact, and robust, making it the ideal tool for on-site measurements. It is aimed for monitoring radioactive gaseous emissions in a nuclear power environment, during the operation and decommissioning of nuclear power plants. Its high sensitivity also makes it the ideal tool for the detection of leaks in radioactive waste repositories.

White Rabbit Precision Time Protocol on Long-Distance Fiber Links

The application of White Rabbit precision time protocol (WR-PTP) in long-distance optical fiber links has been investigated. WR-PTP is an implementation of PTP in synchronous Ethernet optical fiber networks, originally intended for synchronization of equipment within a range of 10 km. This paper discusses the results and limitations of two implementations of WR-PTP in the existing communication fiber networks. A 950-km WR-PTP link was realized using unidirectional paths in a fiber pair between Espoo and Kajaani, Finland. The time transfer on this link was compared (after initial calibration) against a clock comparison by GPS precise point positioning (PPP). The agreement between the two methods remained within ±2 ns over three months of measurements. Another WR-PTP implementation was realized between Delft and Amsterdam, the Netherlands, by cascading two links of 137 km each. In this case, the WR links were realized as bidirectional paths in single fibers. The measured time offset between the starting and end points of the link was within 5 ns with an uncertainty of 8 ns, mainly due to the estimated delay asymmetry caused by chromatic dispersion.

A method for linearization of a laser interferometer down to the picometre level with a capacitive sensor

This paper describes methods for dynamic measurement and correction of laser interferometer periodic nonlinearity down to the picometre level. A capacitive sensor is used as an external reference for measuring and calculating the periodic interferometer nonlinearity correction function. The experimental interferometer setup is a heterodyne interferometer with symmetrical paths to detectors and time-interval-based phase detection. The periodic nonlinearity is represented as harmonic Fourier components. The time evolution of the nonlinearity function is tracked during measurement. The method is verified by spatial and temporal repeatability of the measured nonlinearity. Linearization repeatability in the 10 pm range is observed.

High-precision diode-laser-based temperature measurement for air refractive index compensation

We present a laser-based system to measure the refractive index of air over a long path length. In optical distance measurements, it is essential to know the refractive index of air with high accuracy. Commonly, the refractive index of air is calculated from the properties of the ambient air using either Ciddor or Edlén equations, where the dominant uncertainty component is in most cases the air temperature. The method developed in this work utilizes direct absorption spectroscopy of oxygen to measure the average temperature of air and of water vapor to measure relative humidity. The method allows measurement of temperature and humidity over the same beam path as in optical distance measurement, providing spatially well-matching data. Indoor and outdoor measurements demonstrate the effectiveness of the method. In particular, we demonstrate an effective compensation of the refractive index of air in an interferometric length measurement at a time-variant and spatially nonhomogeneous temperature over a long time period. Further, we were able to demonstrate 7 mK RMS noise over a 67 m path length using a 120 s sample time. To our knowledge, this is the best temperature precision reported for a spectroscopic temperature measurement.

Precision spectroscopy of acetylene transitions using an optical frequency synthesizer.

An optical frequency synthesizer is used for saturation spectroscopy of acetylene near 1540 nm. In the synthesizer, a user-specified frequency is generated from an atomic time base by phase locking the second harmonic of a cw near-IR external-cavity diode laser (ECDL) to a Ti:sapphire frequency comb. By stepping the repetition rate of the frequency comb, the ECDL frequency is swept over an acetylene transition in a saturated absorption spectroscopy setup. Hence, a spectral lineshape is measured with an absolute frequency scale. Line-center frequencies determined by fitting theoretical line profiles to the measured data are in good agreement with values measured with the ECDL stabilized to acetylene by third-harmonic locking and with the values recommended by the International Committee for Weights and Measures (CIPM).