BOMPD
Balanced Optical Microwave Phase Detector
APPLICATIONS
- Ultrasensitive jitter measurement between ultrafast lasers and microwave signals
- Precise synchronization between ultrafast lasers and microwave signals
- Precise synchronization of microwave sources to the output of stabilized fiber links
- Generation of ultra-low-noise microwave signals from an ultrafast optical oscillator
BENEFITS
- More than 0.2 mV/fs sensitivity
- Lower than 0.5 fs noise floor
- Down to 20 fs RMS timing jitter
SAMPLE SYNCHRONIZATION SETUps
DESCRIPTION
The fully automated BOMPD precisely detects the time jitter between an optical pulse train and the zero-crossings of an RF signal. It generates a baseband signal that is proportional to the timing error between the two inputs, which in turn can be used in a phase-locked loop to tightly synchronize a laser to a microwave source (top) or vice versa (bottom).
Due to its balanced detection scheme, the BOMPD is immune to amplitude fluctuations of both optical and microwave sources and greatly suppresses the AM-PM conversion noise in the photodetection process. Cycle offers three options to the BOMPD to complement our customers’ applications: measurement device (MD) for measuring the timing jitter only, synchronization device (SD) which integrates the controllers and drivers necessary to synchronize a laser, and an RF-generation option which includes a fully integrated VCO for generating an RF signal based on an optical clock.
SPECIFICATION
Parameters
Value
Unit
Comment
Detector sensitivity
> 0.2
mV / fs
at the detector output (not amplified)
Detector resolution
< 0.5
fs
integrated detector noise floor within 10 kHz bandwidth
Residual Jitter (SD)1
< 20
fs
depends on noise characteristics of master/reference source
Control system
included
available in Epics, Tango
Auto lock
included
Dimensions (H x W x L)
420 x 300
x 171
mm
plus controller (if synchronization option is chosen): 19 in. rack mount
Weight
10-20
kg
depending on options
Requirements
RF input power
>15
dBm
up to 10 GHz. BOMPD tailored to frequency of interest
Optical input wavelength
800 ± 30
1030 ± 30
1550 ± 40
nm
Optical input power
> 20
mW
Optical input type
PM Fiber
SM possible upon request
Pulse repetition rate
< 10
GHz
BOMPD is tailored for the repetition rate of interest
Synchronization Device (SD) Option for BOMPD
VCO
Included
customizable upon request
Integrated feedback
Included
optimized PID parameters
RF output power
> 10
dBm
50 Ω impedance
RF power stability
< 0.1
%
1 in an environment with maximum 0.1 K temperature and 3 % relative humidity fluctuations. Higher precision is available upon request.
MEASUREMENT DATA
Out-of-loop timing jitter and timing drift between the generated RF from a customer-specified VCO and the optical reference, using a standard 1550-nm BOMPD, with SD option: