Work

Electro-optic time transfer with femtosecond stability

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Optical two-way time and frequency transfer (O-TWTFT) is an enabling technology that has applications ranging from fundamental investigations of relativity to the operation of global navigation satellite systems. Linear-optical-sampling (LOS) between optical frequency combs has been used to create very stable optical two-way time and frequency transfer links over free-space. Here, we demonstrate two-way time and frequency transfer using LOS between electro-optic frequency combs. This two-way electro-optic time and frequency transfer system demonstrated instabilities as low as 15 fs at 1 s of averaging time. These results show a pathway to highly stable, frequency agile, and low SWaP-C time transfer networks.

Source: Applied Physics Letters

DOI: 10.1063/5.0240786

Authors: Joshua Olson, Robert Rockmore, Nathan D. Lemke, Sean Krzyzewski, Brian Kasch

Institutions: Utah State University, Utah State University Space Dynamics Laboratory, United States Air Force Research Laboratory, U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory Space Vehicles Directorate, Bethel University

Language: English

Topic: Advanced Frequency and Time Standards

Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Funders: U.S. Department of Defense, Air Force Research Laboratory

OpenAlex ID: W4408545512