Optical Frequency Measurement with a Mode-Locked Laser

Principle and Recent Development

Abstract

The periodic pulse train generated from a mode-locked laser can be described as a comb of modes, the frequencies of which are equally separated. This optical frequency comb has been successfully applied to optical frequency measurement. The principle and setup of the measurement, in particular, the system including anoctave-spanning optical frequency comb, are reviewed. The recent development and applications of the comb, including the optical frequency divider, are briefly described.