Michelson interferometer based phase demodulation for stable time transfer over 1556 km fiber links.

Time transfer based on phase modulation schemes has attracted extensive attention in recent years. We propose and experimentally demonstrate an adjustable and stable Michelson interferometer (MI) with a DC phase tracking algorithm for two-way time transfer. Time signal with one pulse per second (1 PPS) is loaded on an optical carrier modulated in phase and demodulated by a Michelson interferometer. The whole compact and cost-effective demodulator is symmetrical with a single coupler to split and recombine optical waves, flexible with one photodetector and a bias tee to separate the DC signal and recovery pulses and stable with a phase modulator to compensate for the drift-phase noise. We show the implementation of modulation and demodulation of the time signal and obtain the stability of 2.31 × 10-11 at 1000 s averaging time. We then demonstrate two-way time transfer over 1556 km lab fibers. The experimental result shows time interval stability of 1 PPS with 5.62 × 10-11 at 1000 s averaging time. It has the potential to transfer time signals in long-distance fiber optic links.

[Progress of Detection Technology of Ultra-Broadband THz Time-Domain Spectroscopy].

Terahertz Time-Domain Spectroscopy (THz-TDS) is one of the effective coherent detection techniques. It has been widely applied in materials, chemistry, biology, security and other fields due to its capabilities such as high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), broadband detection, working at room temperature, time resolved measurement and others. Limited by the spectrum bandwidth of THz radiation and detection techniques, the measuring range of the traditional THz-TDS system is generally less than several THz, thus the spectral information of high frequencies cannot be obtained. In order to expand its application, there is an urgent need for the development of ultra-broadband (≥10 THz) THz-TDS detection techniques. This paper reviews the development and applications of main detection techniques in ultra-broadband THz-TDS. The advantages and disadvantages of these techniques are also analyzed.

A coherent detection technique via optically biased field for broadband terahertz radiation.

We demonstrate theoretically and experimentally a coherent terahertz detection technique based on an optically biased field functioning as a local oscillator and a second harmonic induced by the terahertz electric field in the air sensor working in free space. After optimizing the polarization angle and the energy of the probe pulse, and filling the system with dry nitrogen, the terahertz radiation generated from a two-color-femtosecond-laser-pulses induced plasma filament is measured by this technique with a bandwidth of 0.1-10 THz and a signal-to-noise ratio of 48 dB. Our technique provides an alternative simple method for coherent broadband terahertz detection.