Wideband optical frequency comb generator using a phase velocity-matched lithium tantalate electro-optic modulator

Abstract

A wideband optical frequency comb generator can be built using an electro-optic modulator that is driven at a frequency of several GHz and that is enclosed in an optical cavity. When light is circulated within the optical cavity, multiple passes through the modulator produce a spectrum centered at the carrier frequency with hundreds of sidebands spaced at the modulation frequency, with a comb span limited only by the material dispersion of the modulator. We present the design, construction, and testing of an optical frequency comb generator using lithium tantalate as a modulator substrate.