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Applied Physics Letters

Coherent integration of 0.5 GHz spectral holograms at 1536 nm using dynamic biphase codes

Zachary Cole, Thomas Böttger, R. Mohan, Randy R. Reibel, William Randall Babbitt, R. L. Cone, K.D. Merkel

Published Oct 31, 2002• 54 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Spectral hole-burning-based optical processing devices are proposed for coherent integration of multiple high-bandwidth interference patterns in a spectral hole-burning medium. In this implementation, 0.5 GHz spectral holographic gratings are dynamically accumulated in Er3+:Y2SiO5 at 4.2 K using a 1536 nm laser frequency stabilized to a spectral hole, along with commercial off-the-shelf components. The processed data, representing time delays over 0.5–2.0 μs, were optically read out using a frequency-swept probe; this approach makes possible the use of low-bandwidth, large-dynamic-range detectors and digitizers and enables competitive processing for applications such as radar, lidar, and radio astronomy. Coherent integration dynamics and material advances are reported.

DOI
10.1063/1.1518152

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Spatial-spectral holography using spectral hole burning materials is a powerful technique for performing real-time, wide-bandwidth information storage and signal processing. For operation in the important 1.5 μm communication band, the material Er3+:Y2SiO5 enables applications such as laser frequency stabilization, all-optical correlators, analog signal processing, and data storage. Site-selective absorption and emission spectroscopy identified spectral hole burning transitions and excited state T1 lifetimes in the 1.5 μm spectral region. The effects of crystal temperature, Er3+-dopant concentration, magnetic field strength, and crystal orientation on spectral diffusion were explored using stimulated photon echo spectroscopy, which is the "prototype" interaction mechanism for device applications. The performance of Er3+:Y2SiO5 and related Er3+ materials has been dramatically enhanced by reducing the effect of spectral diffusion on the coherence lifetime T2 through fundamental material design coupled with the application of an external magnetic field oriented along specific directions. A preferred magnetic field orientation that maximized T2 by minimizing the effects of spectral diffusion was determined using the results of angle-dependent Zeeman spectroscopy. The observed linewidth broadening due to spectral diffusion was successfully modeled by considering the effect of one-phonon (direct) processes on Er3+ - Er3+ interactions. The reported studies improved our understanding of Er3+ materials, explored the range of conditions and material parameters required to optimize performance for specific applications, and enabled measurement of the narrowest optical resonance ever observed in a solid-with a homogeneous linewidth of 73 Hz. With the optimized materials and operating conditions, photon echoes were observed up to temperatures of 5 K, enabling 0.5 GHz bandwidth optical signal processing at 4.2 K and providing the possibility for operation with a closed-cycle cryocooler.

Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE•Jun 30, 2003•35 citations
Spectral hole-burning-based optical processing devices are proposed for coherent integration of multiple high-bandwidth interference patterns in a spectral hole-burning medium. In this implementation, 0.5 GHz spectral holographic gratings are dynamically accumulated in Er3+:Y2SiO5 at 4.2 K using a 1536 nm laser frequency stabilized to a spectral hole, along with commercial off-the-shelf components. The processed data, representing time delays over 0.5–2.0 μs, were optically read out using a frequency-swept probe; this approach makes possible the use of low-bandwidth, large-dynamic-range detectors and digitizers and enables competitive processing for applications such as radar, lidar, and radio astronomy. Coherent integration dynamics and material advances are reported.
Abstract : Optical materials for spectral hole burning and coherent transient applications were designed and evaluated, emphasizing relevance to devices including high performance memory, signal processing, high speed holographic recording and analysis, and optical switches, routers, and buffers. The ultimate limits on material performance set by atomic mechanisms were determined. The developed materials contained Eu3+, Pr3+, Tm3+, Tb3+, or Er3+ active ions in various oxide hosts. The first report was made of an Er3+ material for hole burning applications in 1.5 micron optical communications bands. Eight Er3+ materials for applications at 1.5 microns in optical routers and buffer memories were designed and characterized. A correlator' signal processing capability was demonstrated, and the first report was made of operation of a 1.5 micron packet header decoder for all-optimized optical packet switching in optical communications along optical fibers at 1531 nm. Eu3+:Y2SiO5 was optimized for use in 100 GByte ODRAM optical memory devices, considering Eu3+ concentration and temperature. Eight Tm3+ compounds for signal processing applications, such as true time delays for phased-array radar, at diode laser wavelengths near 795 nm were designed and characterized. Eight Tb3+ compounds for photon gated spectral hole burning were designed and characterized, and gated hole burning was observed in Tb3+:YAIO3.
Laser frequency stabilization giving a 500-Hz Allan deviation for a 2-ms integration time with drift reduced to 7 kHz/min over several minutes was achieved at 1536 nm in the optical communication band. A continuously regenerated spectral hole in the inhomogeneously broadened 4I15/2(1)4I13/2(1){}^{4}{I}_{15/2}{(1)}^{4}{I}_{13/2}(1)4I15/2​(1)4I13/2​(1) optical absorption of an Er3+:Y2SiO5{\mathrm{Er}}^{3+}:{\mathrm{Y}}_{2}{\mathrm{SiO}}_{5}Er3+:Y2​SiO5​ crystal was used as the short-term frequency reference, while a variation on the locking technique allowed simultaneous use of the inhomogeneously broadened absorption line as a long-term reference. The reported frequency stability was achieved without vibration isolation. Spectral hole burning frequency stabilization provides ideal laser sources for high-resolution spectroscopy, real-time optical signal processing, and a range of applications requiring ultra-narrow-band light sources or coherent detection; the time scale for stability and the compatibility with spectral hole burning devices make this technique complementary to other frequency references for laser stabilization.
Summary form only given. Complex spectral gratings, accumulated to nearly steady-state in a short-term persistent inhomogeneously broadened optical transition, have been demonstrated by repeated application of a pair of frequency stabilized and low power-optical pulses (i.e. continuous programming). Provided the grating is not saturated, it can perform continuous correlation of an amplitude and/or phase modulated optical waveform at multi-gigahertz rates with large time-bandwidth products. The present work demonstrates continuous programming of a complex spectral grating, representing a 30-bit pattern and 4 microsecond time delay, to and beyond steady state. Grating accumulation and maintenance is observed by applying a probe pulse (identical to the pattern) after each programming pulse pair. Each probe stimulates an optical coherent transient emitted signal that represents the correlation of the pattern and probe. The probe was non-destructive to the grating, and consequently did not interfere with programming. The frequency reference was a transient, regenerating spectral hole created by the optical carrier in the same inhomogeneously broadened transition.
Persistent spectral hole burning [1] in conjunction with holography (PSHB) opens new prospects for high density optical information storage and processing. In the holographic approach, hole burning is carried out with two -crossed coherent laser beams which bleach out a narrow frequency domain hole in an inhomogeneously broadened absorption band recording, at the same time, a spatial holographic fringe pattern. During read out of the hologram diffraction from this spatial fringe pattern occurs, and a holographic image is reconstructed, reflecting the changes of the absorption coefficient and the refractive index introduced by the spectral hole [2].
A new hologram type in spectral hole-burning systems is presented. During exposure, the frequency of narrow-band laser light is swept over a spectral range that corresponds to a few homogeneous linewidths of the spectrally selective recording material. Simultaneously the phase of the hologram is adjusted as a function of frequency-the phase sweep function. Because of the phase-reconstructing properties of holography, this recording technique programs the sample as a spectral amplitude and phase filter. We call this hologram type frequency and phase swept (FPS) holograms. Their properties and applications are summarized, and a straightforward theory is presented that describes all the diffraction phenomena observed to date. Thin FPS holograms show strongly asymmetric diffraction into conjugated diffraction orders, which is an unusual behavior for thin transmission holograms. Investigations demonstrate the advantages of FPS holograms with respect to conventional cw recording techniques in freq ncymultiplexed data storage. By choosing appropriate phase sweep functions, various features of holographic data storage can be optimized. Examples for cross-talk reduction, highest diffraction efficiency, and maximal readout stability are demonstrated. The properties of these FPS hologram types are deduced from theoretical considerations and confirmed by experiments.
Spatial-spectral holography using spectral hole burning materials is a powerful technique for performing real-time, wide-bandwidth information storage and signal processing. For operation in the important 1.5 μm communication band, the material Er3+:Y2SiO5 enables applications such as laser frequency stabilization, all-optical correlators, analog signal processing, and data storage. Site-selective absorption and emission spectroscopy identified spectral hole burning transitions and excited state T1 lifetimes in the 1.5 μm spectral region. The effects of crystal temperature, Er3+-dopant concentration, magnetic field strength, and crystal orientation on spectral diffusion were explored using stimulated photon echo spectroscopy, which is the "prototype" interaction mechanism for device applications. The performance of Er3+:Y2SiO5 and related Er3+ materials has been dramatically enhanced by reducing the effect of spectral diffusion on the coherence lifetime T2 through fundamental material design coupled with the application of an external magnetic field oriented along specific directions. A preferred magnetic field orientation that maximized T2 by minimizing the effects of spectral diffusion was determined using the results of angle-dependent Zeeman spectroscopy. The observed linewidth broadening due to spectral diffusion was successfully modeled by considering the effect of one-phonon (direct) processes on Er3+ - Er3+ interactions. The reported studies improved our understanding of Er3+ materials, explored the range of conditions and material parameters required to optimize performance for specific applications, and enabled measurement of the narrowest optical resonance ever observed in a solid-with a homogeneous linewidth of 73 Hz. With the optimized materials and operating conditions, photon echoes were observed up to temperatures of 5 K, enabling 0.5 GHz bandwidth optical signal processing at 4.2 K and providing the possibility for operation with a closed-cycle cryocooler.