All laser outputs always contain some amount of noise due to the influence of quantum noise and several technical fluctuations. Quantum noise is typically associated with spontaneous emissions in the gain medium. Technical fluctuations include temperature fluctuations, laser resonator vibrations, excess noise of the pump source, etc.
Different types of lasers may suffer from different types of laser noise. For example, in single frequency lasers, there are intensity noise and phase noise, which causes limited laser linewidth and temporal coherence. In lasers with multiple resonator modes mode beating noise and mode partition noise are most prevalent. Mode-locked lasers exhibit timing jitter (noise in the temporal position of the pulses), pulse duration, chirp, center frequency noise. Supermode noise is exhibited in harmonic mode locked lasers. Moreover, any laser may exhibit beam pointing fluctuation
Many different fields of laser applications require low noise lasers, mainly for the performance of high-precision operations. These fields include high precision optical measurements that are relevant for frequency metrology, spectroscopy, and interferometry. Low noise fiber lasers are required for optical fiber communications as the data transmission rates are amplified by low noise lasers and limited by high noise of lasers and amplifiers. Precise laser material cutting is reliant on a low noise output of a laser as it minimizes beam pointing fluctuations and pulse energy variations.
Low noise fiber lasers enable optical fiber interrogation over several kilometers with high sensitivity and accuracy. This and many more advantages of fiber lasers has led them to be used in multiple areas of applications. Low noise fiber lasers are used for interrogation of large fiber optic hydrophone arrays which help to locate oil deposits below the seafloor. The low noise output of fiber lasers is a key feature of geoseismic and subsea systems.
The development of low noise fiber lasers is led by the needs of LIDAR systems that require very low relative intensity noise to detect weak aerosol backscatter. In the future wind LIDAR systems may be used to accurately predict the energy yield of wind farms. This information is now gathered by expensive and complicated anemometry masts, however, they have many limitations. The use of low noise fiber lasers may aid in wind condition predictions that will ultimately result in an optimized performance of wind farms.
Optromix is a fiber optic laser manufacturer. We manufacture lasers using our own technologies based on the advanced research work and patents of international R&D team. Laser processes are high quality, high precision, easily-automated manufacturing solutions that provide repeatability and flexibility. If you have any questions or would like to purchase a low noise fiber laser, please contact us at info@optromix.com
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