Time-domain Fresnel-to-Fraunhofer diffraction with photon echoes.

A photon echo experiment in Tm(3+):YAG is reported that shows, for the first time to the authors' knowledge, the time-domain equivalent of the transition from near- to far-field diffraction, including Talbot self-imaging effects. The experiment demonstrates the huge dispersion capability of photon echoes and opens the way to further exploration of space-time duality.

Fresnel diffraction on the edge of causality.

Taking advantage of the slow optical response of low-temperature rare earth ion-doped crystal, we explore the similarity between causality and Fresnel diffraction by a straight edge. We relate these features to spectral resolution and selectivity. The concept is illustrated with experimental data.

Diode laser extended cavity for broad-range fast ramping.

A novel design for an extended-cavity diode laser is presented. The cavity contains an electro-optic prism for synchronous tuning of the cavity length and the grating's incident angle. A simple analysis of the cavity is presented.

Measuring time-domain optical response functions with an optimized sampling rate.

We propose a time-domain interferometry method that circumvents the usual sampling rate condition. It was devised for the retrieval of fast optical response functions in low-repetition-rate experiments. Its potential temporal dynamic range matches the spectral resolution and bandwidth requirements of the arbitrarily shaped spectral filters that are engraved in amorphous spectral hole-burning materials.

Time-to-frequency Fourier transformation with photon echoes.

We propose to use photon echoes in rare-earth-doped crystals to implement the Fourier-transform chirp algorithm. The process is considered for application to spectral analysis of fast radio-frequency signals. Compared with surface acoustic wave devices, the proposed scheme gives access to the larger bandwidths of rare-earth-doped crystals and greater flexibility.

Demonstration of a radio-frequency spectrum analyzer based on spectral hole burning.

Spectral hole-burning (SHB) technology is considered for >10-GHz instantaneous bandwidth signal-processing applications. In this context we report on what is believed to be the first demonstration of a SHB microwave spectrometer. A set of gratings engraved in a SHB crystal is used to filter one sideband of the optically carried microwave signal.

Active stabilization of a rapidly chirped laser by an optoelectronic digital servo-loop control.

We propose and demonstrate a novel active stabilization scheme for wide and fast frequency chirps. The system measures the laser instantaneous frequency deviation from a perfectly linear chirp, thanks to a digital phase detection process, and provides an error signal that is used to servo-loop control the chirped laser. This way, the frequency errors affecting a laser scan over 10 GHz on the millisecond timescale are drastically reduced below 100 kHz.

Wideband and high-resolution coherent optical transients with a frequency-agile laser oscillator.

We report what is believed to be the first experimental demonstration of a wideband spectral coherent process driven by a frequency-agile laser in a rare-earth-ion-doped crystal. The very demanding chirp-transform algorithm is studied in detail and is applied to radio-frequency spectral analysis. A time-bandwidth product of 24,000 is demonstrated.

Photon echoes in an amplifying rare-earth-ion-doped crystal.

We report what we believe is the first experimental demonstration of photon echoes in an amplifying rare-earth-ion-doped crystal. Population inversion is achieved by optical pumping, which yields high-power photon echoes, with an energy gain of as much as a factor of 5. Effects of the pump on the photon echo process highlight the advantages of an amplifying crystal.

Wideband versatile radio-frequency spectrum analyzer.

Operation of a wideband, versatile optical spectrum analyzer for radio-frequency (RF) signals is demonstrated. The device is based on spectral hole burning (SHB). The demonstration features 2.

Fast random access to frequency-selective optical memories.

Spectral phase codes are used as storage addresses in a frequency-selective optical memory. Data are engraved over a 1.5-THz-wide spectral interval.