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Menlo Systems, a premier developer and supplier of precision metrology instrumentation, is making waves in the global market with its cutting-edge technology. Based in Martinsried, near Munich, the company boasts a prestigious legacy with its Nobel Prize-winning optical frequency comb technology. Founded in 2001, Menlo Systems emerged as a spin-off from the renowned Max Planck Institute for Quantum Optics (MPQ), cementing its position as a top player in the industry.
The core technology of Menlo Systems is based on stabilized lasers for optical frequency comb generation, which have applications in time and frequency metrology, high-resolution spectroscopy, LiDAR, astronomy, and space-borne metrology. The timing and synchronization systems provide perfect options for large-scale facilities such as geodetic observatories or particle accelerators. The ultrastable lasers enable complete systems for optical clock applications, and serve applications where pure optical signals are required.
Menlo Systems has developed laser systems specifically designed for Quantum Technology 2.0, consisting of an optical frequency comb, an ultra-stable reference laser, and application-optimized CW lasers. These instruments combine the company's core competencies to provide unique solutions that open up new application horizons for their customers. Menlo Systems' terahertz time-domain spectrometers have applications in spectroscopy and quality control, while their femtosecond fiber lasers, based on the patented figure 9® all-PM fiber design technology, offer excellent stability and low-noise operation. These lasers not only serve as unique seed lasers for the above instruments but also find standalone applications in diverse markets, including life sciences, 3D printing and additive manufacturing, material scribing or cutting, and research and development. Additionally, Menlo Systems offers stabilization electronics, add-ons for metrology, and photodetectors for various applications to complement their complete solutions.
The main product lines are optical frequency combs, solutions for time and frequency distribution, ultrastable lasers, terahertz systems, and femtosecond lasers.
Optical Frequency Comb Technology
The Optical Frequency Comb technology is regarded as a breakthrough technology for measurements with highest accuracy. Lowest phase noise, stable supercontinuum, and turn-key operation make the Menlo Optical Frequency Comb solutions unique in accuracy and reliability.
SmartComb Compact Optical Frequency Comb
SmartComb is an optical metrology system that measures optical frequency anywhere between 630-2000 nm. Alternatively, it provides optical reference lines in the same spectral range. With its internal RF-reference, SmartComb can be used as a standalone device. For the highest precision measurements, a radio frequency or an optical reference input is available to stabilize the SmartComb.
Due to its modular design, SmartComb is one of the most versatile frequency comb system on the market: Internal units can be adapted to measure different wavelengths or be replaced with amplifiers to provide up to 6 output ports. Additional external modules are retrofittable, to provide higher powers, customized spectra and pulse lengths. Its underlying proprietary technology based on figure 9® lasers has already been verified onboard of aircraft and sounding rockets, proving it is well-suited even for demanding environments.
FC1500-ULNnova Optical Frequency Combs
The FC1500-ULNnova is Menlo System’s latest optical frequency comb synthesizer for ultimate performance. The core of the new model consists of a redesigned comb oscillator, based on the patented ultra-low-noise (ULN) figure 9® mode locking technology. The enhanced design of this so-called “nova”-oscillator results in significantly improved robustness against acoustical distortion and thermal drift. The major benefit is a reduced free running linewidth of only 15 kHz. Owing to this leap in linewidth reduction, the FC1500-ULNnova has proven to support a frequency stability on the 10-19 level for 1 s averaging time.
Ever increasing demands for stability and accuracy of time and frequency signals require improved frequency references. But even the best optical references have very limited spectral coverage. The FC1500-ULNnova overcomes these limitations by transferring the spectral purity of a stable reference to the entire wavelength range of 500-2000 nm. This unique feature enables the users to compare different (optical) frequency references, stabilize all CW lasers to one absolute frequency reference and use it as a clockwork for optical clocks. The overall frequency stability is evaluated in an out of loop comparison between two independent optical frequency combs, which is integral part of the quality check during factory acceptance of each system.
FC1500-ULNplus Optical Frequency Comb
The FC1500-ULNplus Ultra Low Noise Optical Frequency Comb brings the system performance to the next level. Additional hardware, optimized components and engineering ingenuity resulted in a perfect flywheel for transferring frequency stability between two or more user-defined frequencies at the 10−19 level. This exceeds the stability of any optical oscillator demonstrated to date, and transcends the stability requirement for optical clocks.
The ability to measure sub-10−18 level frequency shifts can be relevant for applications such as optical clocks in quantum sensing and fundamental physics. All polarization maintaining figure 9® mode locking technology together with high bandwidth actuators (>1 MHz) for both the carrier-envelope offset frequency and the repetition rate guarantee ultimate performance.
The performance is proven in an out of loop comparison between two independent ULNplus optical frequency combs, which is integral part of the quality check during factory acceptance of each system. Thus Menlo guarantees and proves by measurement that the outstanding spectral purity of the oscillator is transferred perfectly to the desired wavelength for every system delivered.
Mid-IR Comb Optical Frequency Comb
Taking advantage of Menlo Systems’ proprietary figure 9® modelocking technology, Menlo Systems’ difference frequency generation (DFG) based Mid-IR combs provide access to the 3-14 µm range. The reliable, turn-key mid-IR Comb is an enabling tool for applications in the important fingerprint region for high accuracy spectroscopy or nanoFTIR.
FC1000-250 Optical Frequency Comb
Frequency comb technology makes direct measurement of absolute optical frequencies possible. The FC1000-250 Optical Frequency Synthesizer is a compact, portable and flexible fiber-based femtosecond frequency comb system. The system is capable of providing at the same time a source for frequency metrology in both the visible and the near-IR regions (520-1040 nm) of the spectrum. A wide range of optional units enables tailoring this versatile system to customer specific metrology solutions.
Custom Frequency Comb
AstroComb
Recent cosmological observations suggest that the universe’s expansion is accelerating. Several lines of evidence corroborate this, including results from distant supernovae, the cosmic microwave background, and the clustering of matter. In the following, a new method is outlined based on direct frequency measurements of the cosmological redshifts. Optical Frequency Combs have been used for the calibration of a traditional spectrograph, allowing for more accurate exploration of deep space than ever before.
FC1000
Frequency comb technology makes direct measurement of absolute optical frequencies possible. The FC1000 Optical Frequency Synthesizer is a compact, portable and flexible fiber-based femtosecond frequency comb system. The system is capable of providing at the same time a source for frequency metrology in both the visible and the near-IR regions (520-1040 nm) of the spectrum. A wide range of optional units enables tailoring this versatile system to customer specific metrology solutions.
FC800
The FC800 is a Ti:Sapphire based Optical Frequency Comb with a mode spacing of 1 GHz. Its oscillator is the Laser Quantum taccor turn-key femtosecond laser. Menlo Systems’ robust and mature one-arm f-2f interferometer technology together with optimized control loops and established software packages for automation and data evaluation enables combining Ti:Sapphire low-noise performance and high repetition rate in a frequency comb system designed for 24/7 operation. This Optical Frequency Comb is as simple as the well-known FC1500 fiber-based frequency comb systems being workhorses in labs all over the world.
Latest developments in OFC's are:
Supercontinuum Module
The Supercontinuum Module (SCM) is a frequency comb extension (available for FC1500-ULN-nova/plus and FC1500-Quantum) which delivers up to 8 beat signals between ultra-low-noise frequency comb light and different CW-lasers in the range of 650 to 1560 nm. It provides up to 8 CW-laser input ports (FC/APC, others on request) and delivers the according beat signals (between the CW-laser light and its closest neighboring comb mode) at up to 8 BNC output ports. The super-broad and smooth comb spectrum, combined with the latest generation of optical beat detection units, leads to high signal to noise ratio beat signals over the entire wavelength range (> 35 dB SNR).
SYNCRO3rd generation
Latest developments in Frequency Comb- and Quantum laser systems demand for highest flexibility regarding synchronization and control electronics. The solution is Menlo’s 3rd generation SYNCRO unit, which serves as a modular carrier for various electronic boards: multiple lock boxes, butterfly packaged CW-lasers, low noise laser drivers, fiber noise cancelling electronics and more can be comprised within one single unit. The 7” touchscreen, combined with a rotary knob, provides easy access to all parameters and a convenient way for fine-adjustments. The completely redesigned user interface is split into a parameter settings list and a 'main-controls' area, which includes all major control elements for operating the corresponding feedback loop, laser driver, or any other functional group that needs to be operated. Full remote control is provided via Menlo-Core-UI and application programming interfaces are available for Python, JavaScript, ECMAScript, C++ and C#.
The invention of the optical frequency comb technology - a revolutionary and simple technique for measuring the frequency of light - has been called "the biggest advance in precision electromagnetic measurements since people began to measure laser frequencies in the seventies". The company's mission is to accelerate the advancement of optical technology for precision measurements and their applications from the table tops of research laboratories to standard use in communication and high technology industries.
