Towards phase-stabilized Fourier domain mode-locked frequency combs

Abstract

Fourier domain mode-locked (FDML) lasers are some of the fastest wavelength-swept light sources, and used in many applications like optical coherence tomography (OCT), OCT endoscopy, Raman microscopy, light detection and ranging, and two-photon microscopy. For a deeper understanding of the underlying laser physics, it is crucial to investigate the light field evolution of the FDML laser and to clarify whether the FDML laser provides a frequency comb structure. In this case, the FDML would output a coherent sweep in frequency with a stable phase relation between output colours. To get access to the phase of the light field, a beat signal measurement with a stable, monochromatic laser is performed. Here we show experimental evidence of a well-defined phase evolution and a comb-like structure of the FDML laser. This is in agreement with numerical simulations. This insight will enable new applications in jitter-free spectral-scanning, coherent, synthetic THz-generation and as metrological time-frequency ruler.