Z. H. Lu

Quantum dot microdrop laser.

We report room-temperature, low threshold, multi- and single mode lasing in levitated microdrops doped with low concentrations of CdSe/ZnS core/shell quantum dots.

Quantum Physics Exploring Gravity in the Outer Solar System: The SAGAS Project

We summarise the scientific and technological aspects of the Search for Anomalous Gravitation using Atomic Sensors (SAGAS) project, submitted to ESA in June 2007 in response to the Cosmic Vision 2015–2025 call for proposals. The proposed mission aims at flying highly sensitive atomic sensors (optical clock, cold atom accelerometer, optical link) on a Solar System escape trajectory in the 2020 to 2030 time-frame. SAGAS has numerous science objectives in fundamental physics and Solar System science, for example numerous tests of general relativity and the exploration of the Kuiper belt. The combination of highly sensitive atomic sensors and of the laser link well adapted for large distances will allow measurements with unprecedented accuracy and on scales never reached before. We present the proposed mission in some detail, with particular emphasis on the science goals and associated measurements and technologies.

Precision measurement of the refractive index of air with frequency combs.

We report an experimental method for high-precision refractive index measurement using a Michelson interferometer setup with a femtosecond optical frequency comb as the light source. We demonstrate this technique by measuring the refractive index of air, under different pressures, inside a 29 m multipass cell. Both spectral and temporal interferograms are recorded. The method has a sensitivity of 6.2 x 10(-9) and a standard error of 7.4 x 10(-8) at fixed parameters (pressure and temperature). The possible variation of the density factor from the Lorentz-Lorenz equation is also discussed.

Application of frequency combs in the measurement of the refractive index of air

We report a new method in the precision measurement of the refractive index of air using a highly unbalanced Michelson interferometer with a femtosecond optical frequency comb as the light source. Standard dry air is filled into a 30m multipass cell, serving as the long arm of the interferometer, while a short arm acts as the reference path. Both time and frequency domain interferograms are recorded to measure the refractive index of air. The deviation of our experimental results with Edlen’s formula is 1.4×10−9 at 800nm. Our experiment has a standard error of 5.2×10−9 at fixed parameters (pressure and temperature). This is achieved by putting the multipass cell into a temperature-stabilized box, and also by locking the interferometer path length with a He–Ne laser. We achieved a temperature stabilization of 0.8mK for 25h. This corresponds to 0.4μm multipass cell length change. The locking of the He–Ne interferometer enables us to achieve 7nm path-length change outside the multipass cell. Combined with ac...

Atmospheric transfer of optical and radio frequency clock signals

The phase instability induced during the transfer of radio frequency and optical clock signals through the turbulent atmosphere was measured in a rooftop experiment. Radio frequency intensity modulation of a laser to transmit signals over 100 m results in an Allan deviation of 1.31x10(-10) at 1 s. Optical transfer is more accurate at 1.68x10(-13) at 1 s. As a consequence, fiber links are more suitable for the transfer of optical frequencies over very long distances while free space transmission might find applications in short distances of less than 1 km.

CaF2 whispering-gallery-mode-resonator stabilized-narrow-linewidth laser.

A fiber laser is stabilized by introducing a calcium fluoride (CaF(2)) whispering-gallery-mode resonator as a filtering element in a ring cavity. It is set up using a semiconductor optical amplifier as a gain medium. The resonator is critically coupled through prisms, and used as a filtering element to suppress the laser linewidth. A three-cornered-hat method is used and shows a stability of 10(-11) after 10 micros. Using the self-heterodyne beat technique, the linewidth is determined to be 13 kHz. This implies an enhancement factor of 10(3) with respect to the passive cavity linewidth.

Direct experimental observation of the single reflection optical Goos-Hänchen shift.

We report a precise direct measurement of the Goos-Hänchen shift after one reflection off a dielectric interface coated with periodic metal stripes. The spatial displacement of the shift is determined by image analysis. A maximal absolute shift of 5.18 and 23.39 mum for TE and TM polarized light, respectively, is determined. This technique is simple to implement and can be used for a large range of incident angles.

A vibration-insensitive optical cavity and absolute determination of its ultrahigh stability

We use the three-cornered-hat method to evaluate the absolute frequency stabilities of three different ultrastable reference cavities, one of which has a vibration-insensitive design that does not even require vibration isolation. An Nd:YAG laser and a diode laser are implemented as light sources. We observe approximately 1 Hz beat note linewidths between all three cavities. The measurement demonstrates that the vibration-insensitive cavity has a good frequency stability over the entire measurement time from 100 ms to 200 s. An absolute, correlation-removed Allan deviation of 1.4 x 10(-15) at s of this cavity is obtained, giving a frequency uncertainty of only 0.44 Hz.

An electrodynamically confined single ZnO tetrapod laser

We experimentally show the viability of isolating and micropositioning ZnO-based nanostructures in an electrodynamic trap to investigate their intrinsic optical nature under atmospheric conditions. An electrospray technique is used to spray a dilute solution of ZnO tetrapods (in methanol) into an electrodynamic “endcap” trap. Subsequent tuning of trapping parameters, as the methanol evaporates, leads to the stable confinement of a single ZnO tetrapod in free space. Using this method, we trap a single ZnO tetrapod structure, manipulate its position, and study its lasing characteristics.

Precision measurement of the refractive index of carbon dioxide with a frequency comb.

We report a higher precision measurement of the refractive index of carbon dioxide using a frequency comb as the light source in a Mach-Zehnder interferometer setup. The experimental sensitivity can reach the level of 8.8x10(-9). Taking into account the measurement accuracy of temperature and pressure, the experimental accuracy has a value of 1.2x10(-8). The measurement result has a deviation from the commonly quoted result [Old , J. Opt. Soc. Am.61, 89 (1971)] by 6.4x10(-7) at 800 nm.