Development and test of the Ball Aerospace optical frequency comb: a versatile measurement tool for aerospace applications

Jordan Wachs; James Leitch; Scott Knight; Robert Pierce; Michael Adkins

doi:10.1117/12.2230006

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22 July 2016 Development and test of the Ball Aerospace optical frequency comb: a versatile measurement tool for aerospace applications

Jordan Wachs, James Leitch, Scott Knight, Robert Pierce, Michael Adkins

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Proceedings Volume 9912, Advances in Optical and Mechanical Technologies for Telescopes and Instrumentation II; 991206 (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2230006
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2016, Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Abstract

The Ball Fiber Optical Comb Demo is a lab-based system which is used to develop space applications for optical frequency combs. These developments utilize the broadband optical coherence of the frequency comb to expand the capabilities of ground test and orbital systems used for optical wave-front measurement, control of adaptive optics, precision ranging, and reference frequency stabilization. The work expands upon a NIST-developed all-fiber frequency comb that exhibits high stability in a compact, enclosed package.

Previously demonstrated applications for frequency combs include: Spectroscopy, distance and velocity measurement, frequency conversion, and timing transfer. Results from the Ball system show the characterization and performance of a frequency comb system with a technological path-to-space. Demonstrations in high precision metrology and long distance ranging are also presented for application in adaptive and multi-body optical systems.

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Jordan Wachs, James Leitch, Scott Knight, Robert Pierce, and Michael Adkins "Development and test of the Ball Aerospace optical frequency comb: a versatile measurement tool for aerospace applications", Proc. SPIE 9912, Advances in Optical and Mechanical Technologies for Telescopes and Instrumentation II, 991206 (22 July 2016); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2230006

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