1. An FPGA-based Versatile and Digitalized Method for Pulse Laser Repetition Frequency Locking
- Author
-
Zheng, Qibin, Tao, Zhengyi, Wang, Lei, Bu, Zhaohui, Jin, Zuanming, and Wang, Zhao
- Subjects
Physics - Optics ,Physics - Instrumentation and Detectors - Abstract
This paper introduces a novel method for locking the repetition frequency of pulse lasers, adaptable to different frequencies,offering significant improvements in system integration and measurement accuracy. The method consists of two primary components: an error amplification module (EAM) and a digital frequency locking module (DFLM) based on FPGA. The EAM integrates a configurable frequency generator (CFG), a configurable frequency multiplier (CFM) and a mixer,to process the laser pulse alongside a high-stability reference source, such as an atomic clock. By employing frequency multiplication and mixing, the EAM amplifies the laser's frequency error and performs frequency down-conversion,enhancing measurement sensitivity and reducing the hardware requirements of the back-end.The CFG, implemented on a phase-locked loop (PLL) chip, allows for parameter adjustments to accommodate various laser frequencies.The DFLM processes the output from the EAM using a high-speed, ADC-based dual-mixer time-difference (DMTD) method to precisely measure frequency errors.A digital proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller then provides feedback to achieve accurate frequency locking. To evaluate the proposed method, an FPGA-based electronic system was developed and tested. In laboratory experiment with a custom-built femtosecond fiber laser, the system demonstrated robust locking of the repetition rate, achieving an Allan deviation improvement from $1.51 \times 10^{-7}$ to $1.12 \times 10^{-12}$ at a gate time of 10 s.Further testing with a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) confirmed a long-term stability of $9.58 \times 10^{-14} @ 10 s$.
- Published
- 2024