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Photonic microwave signals with zeptosecond-level absolute timing noise

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Photonic microwave signals with zeptosecond-level absolute timing noise

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  • Author: X. Xie, R. Bouchand, D. Nicolodi, M. Giunta, W. Hänsel, M. Lezius, A. Joshi, S. Datta, Ch. Alexandre, M. Lours, P.-A. Tremblin, G. Santarelli, R. Holzwarth, & Y. Le Coq
Photonic synthesis of radiofrequency (RF) waveforms revived the quest for unrivalled microwave purity because of its ability to convey the benefits of optics to the microwave world. In this work, we perform a high-fidelity transfer of frequency stability between an optical reference and a microwave signal via a low-noise fibre-based frequency comb and cutting-edge photodetection techniques. We demonstrate the generation of the purest microwave signal with a fractional frequency stability below 6.5×10−16 at 1s and a timing noise floor below 41zs Hz−1/2 (phase noise below −173dBc Hz−1 for a 12GHz carrier). This outperforms existing sources and promises a new era for state-of-the-art microwave generation.

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