Attosecond active synchronization of passively mode-locked lasers by balanced cross correlation

Opt Lett. 2003 Jun 1;28(11):947-9. doi: 10.1364/ol.28.000947.

Abstract

A balanced cross correlator, the optical equivalent of a balanced microwave phase detector, is demonstrated. Its use in synchronizing an octave-spanning Ti:sapphire laser and a 30-fs Cr:forsterite laser yields 300-attosecond timing jitter measured from 10 mHz to 2.3 MHz. The spectral overlap between the two lasers is strong enough to permit direct detection of the difference in carrier-envelope offset frequency between the two lasers.