Analog FM free-space optical communication based on a mid-infrared quantum cascade laser frequency comb
Nicola Corrias, Tecla Gabbrielli, Paolo De Natale, Luigi Consolino, Francesco Cappelli
2021Optics Express27 citationsDOIOpen Access PDF Abstract
Quantum cascade laser frequency combs are nowadays well-appreciated sources for infrared spectroscopy. Here their applicability for free-space optical communication is demonstrated. The spontaneously-generated intermodal beat note of the frequency comb is used as carrier for transferring the analog signal via frequency modulation. Exploiting the atmospheric transparency window at 4 µm, an optical communication with a signal-to-noise ratio up to 65 dB is realized, with a modulation bandwidth of 300 kHz. The system tolerates a maximum optical attenuation exceeding 35 dB. The possibility of parallel transmission of an independent digital signal via amplitude modulation at 5 Mbit/s is also demonstrated.
Topics & Concepts
OpticsFrequency combOptical communicationQuantum cascade laserOptical modulation amplitudeFrequency modulationCascadeIntensity modulationAmplitude modulationLaserPhysicsBeat (acoustics)Modulation (music)Bandwidth (computing)Optical frequency combAnalog transmissionFree-space optical communicationPulse-amplitude modulationOptical amplifierComb generatorOptoelectronicsPhase modulationTransmission (telecommunications)AttenuationOptical communications repeaterComb filterSIGNAL (programming language)Optical filterOptical transistorPhase noiseSemiconductor laser theoryOptical linkMaterials scienceOptical modulatorMode-lockingOptical performance monitoringSignal processingOptical Carrier transmission ratesOptical fiberDistributed feedback laserSpectroscopy and Laser ApplicationsAdvanced Fiber Laser TechnologiesSemiconductor Lasers and Optical Devices