Controlling of the bidirectional amplifier chain for optical frequency distribution based on a two-dimensional noise detector.

In the paper we present a solution for controlling the chain of bidirectional optical amplifiers, intended for long-haul fiber links used to distribute signals produced by optical atomic clocks. The solution is based on a dedicated two-channel noise detector, which allows independent measurement of the noise contributions related to interferometric signal fading and additive wideband noise. New signal quality metrics, based on two-dimensional noise detector, allows to distribute properly the needed gain among the chained amplifiers.

Systematic Frequency Error in Laser Synchronization Circuits for Fiber-Optic Time Transfer Systems.

The paper addresses the problem of a systematic frequency error occurring in semiconductor-laser frequency-synchronization circuits based on counting the beat note between the two lasers in a reference time interval using a high-frequency prescaler. Such synchronization circuits are suitable for operation in ultra-precise fiber-optic time-transfer links, used e.g.

Optical Multiplexing of Metrological Time and Frequency Signals in a Single 100-GHz-Grid Optical Channel.

In this article, the concept of co-locating all metrological time and frequency signals in a single optical channel of a standard, 100-GHz-spaced optical grid is presented and evaluated. The solution is intended for situations where only a narrow optical bandwidth is available in a fiber heavily loaded with standard data traffic. We localized the optical reference signals in the middle of the channel, with signals related to RF reference and time tags shifted ±12.

Electrical Regeneration for Long-Haul Fiber-Optic Time and Frequency Distribution Systems.

In recent years fiber-optic-based long-haul installations for time and frequency (T&F) distribution have become operational at various sites. The common practice to cope with large attenuation of long fiber path is to use bidirectional optical amplifiers. This, however, becomes insufficient in case of very long links and/or long spans between amplifiers, because of unavoidable deterioration of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).

Stability Limitations of Optical Frequency Transfer in Telecommunication DWDM Networks.

This article investigates the fundamental limitations of optical frequency transfer stability related to cost-effective implementation of signal transmission in duplex, unidirectional optical paths offered by a standard dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) network. We pointed out the effect of a significant mismatch of phase fluctuations observed in pairs of fibers even when located in a common cable. We also measured the thermal sensitivities of individual DWDM optical modules in the context of the effectiveness of the signal stabilization system.

Compensation of the Fluctuations of Differential Delay for Frequency Transfer in DWDM Networks.

This paper investigates the possibility of improving the stability of radio-frequency transfer in telecommunication dense wavelength division multiplexing fiber-optic networks. As it has been identified, the dispersion compensation fibers (DCFs), frequently used in these networks, cause substantial differential delay, whose temperature-induced fluctuations have the most significant impact on the deterioration of the stability of the frequency transfer. The authors present a method that allows achieving significant improvement in the long-term stability of the frequency transfer.

Modeling and Optimization of Bidirectional Fiber-Optic Links for Time and Frequency Transfer.

In this paper, a bidirectional fiber-optic link is considered, composed of two end terminals, connected by a number of fiber spans and bidirectional optical amplifiers. The end terminals exchange time and frequency information by sending and receiving intensity modulated optical signals in both directions, which is required to compensate the fluctuation of the propagation delay of the transmission medium. In such a link for its optimal performance, the gains of the bidirectional optical amplifiers need to be adjusted to minimize the noise resulting from Rayleigh backscattering and amplified spontaneous emission.

Fiber-Optic UTC(k) Timescale Distribution With Automated Link Delay Cancelation.

In this paper, we describe the idea and practical realization of an automated calibrator of fiber-optic UTC(k) distribution system, along with a high-resolution shifter of 1 PPS signal, which allows us to cancel the propagation delay and, thus, to produce the 1 PPS at the remote system output with practically zero offset. The solution was experimentally verified with 10 different optical paths, up to 300 km long. The rms offset of the output timescale in our experiments was 7.

Long Haul Time and Frequency Distribution in Different DWDM Systems.

In this paper, we have presented the possibility of time and frequency (T&F) distribution in two generations of dense wavelength-division-multiplexing (DWDM) networks: the older one, equipped with dispersion compensation fiber (DCF) modules, and the newest, without in-line chromatic dispersion compensation (dedicated for coherent signals). The experiments were performed in a 1500-km loop arranged in the PIONIER production network, with T&F signals regarded as so-called "alien wavelength" network service. In the newest DWDM version, we observed very good stability of delivered signals: modified Allan deviation approach 10 for averaging longer than 10 s (for 10-MHz frequency signal), and time deviation below 15 ps for averaging up to 10 s for 1 PPS time signal.

A Hybrid Solution for Simultaneous Transfer of Ultrastable Optical Frequency, RF Frequency, and UTC Time-Tags Over Optical Fiber.

We describe a fiber-optic solution for simultaneous distribution of all signals generated at today's most advanced time and frequency laboratories, i.e., an ultrastable optical reference frequency derived from an optical atomic clock, a radio frequency precisely linked to a realization of the SI-Second, and a realization of an atomic timescale, being the local representation of the virtual, global UTC timescale.

Absolute molecular transition frequencies measured by three cavity-enhanced spectroscopy techniques.

Absolute frequencies of unperturbed (12)C(16)O transitions from the near-infrared (3-0) band were measured with uncertainties five-fold lower than previously available data. The frequency axis of spectra was linked to the primary frequency standard. Three different cavity enhanced absorption and dispersion spectroscopic methods and various approaches to data analysis were used to estimate potential systematic instrumental errors.

Absolute measurement of the 1S0 - 3P0 clock transition in neutral 88Sr over the 330 km-long stabilized fibre optic link.

We report a stability below 7 × 10(-17) of two independent optical lattice clocks operating with bosonic (88)Sr isotope. The value (429 228 066 418 008.3(1.

ELSTAB-Fiber-Optic Time and Frequency Distribution Technology: A General Characterization and Fundamental Limits.

In this paper, we present an overview of the electronically stabilized (thus named ELSTAB) fiber-optic time and frequency (T&F) distribution system based on our idea of using variable electronic delay lines as compensating elements. Various extensions of the basic system, allowing building a long-haul, multiuser network are described. The fundamental limitations of the method arising from fiber chromatic dispersion and system dynamics are discussed.

Multipoint joint time and frequency dissemination in delay-stabilized fiber optic links.

This paper presents the system for dissemination of both the RF frequency (e.g., 5, 10, or 100 MHz) and time (pulse per second) signals using an actively tapped fiber-optic link with electronic stabilization of the propagation delay.

Multipoint dissemination of RF frequency in fiber optic link with stabilized propagation delay.

In this paper, we present the concept of accessing the signal at some midpoint of a frequency dissemination system with stabilized propagation delay, which allows building the point-to-multipoint frequency dissemination network. In the first experiments with a 160 km-long fiber link composed of a field-deployed optical cable and fibers spooled in the lab, exposed to both diurnal and seasonal temperature variations, in the access node, we obtained the Allan deviation of a 10- MHz frequency signal of about 3 × 10(-17) and the time deviation not greater than 2 ps for 10(5) s averaging.