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Measurement of the frequency modulation transfer function of a laser using a Mach–Zehnder interferometer

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Abstract

A technique is presented for determining the frequency modulation transfer function of a laser. The method is based on a Mach–Zehnder interferometer, with a significant difference in the optical path lengths of the two arms. A frequency-modulated laser beam incident on the interferometer produces a phase-modulated photocurrent signal with an effective modulation index that is related to the amplitude of the optical frequency modulation. Techniques for determining both the amplitude and the phase of the optical frequency modulation from the photocurrent signal are described.

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Author notes

  1. B. J. Field

    Present address: Opus Central Laboratories, P.O. Box 30845, Gracefield, Lower Hutt, New Zealand

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand

    T. G. McRae, B. J. Field & P. J. Manson

Authors
  1. T. G. McRae
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  2. B. J. Field
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  3. P. J. Manson
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Correspondence to P. J. Manson.

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McRae, T.G., Field, B.J. & Manson, P.J. Measurement of the frequency modulation transfer function of a laser using a Mach–Zehnder interferometer. Appl. Phys. B 80, 849–856 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00340-005-1807-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00340-005-1807-4

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