Interoperability in optical frequency transfer fiber optic links

Opt. Express 33, 32087 (2025) · DOI: 10.1364/oe.566863

License: CC BY 4.0.

Abstract

The paper addresses the interoperability problem in heterogeneous optical frequency transfer fiber links, which requires the coexistence of equipment with different designs. As we point out, a key component is the repeater laser station, which, for its operation, requires ensuring design-specific relationships between the frequencies of the optical signals at its ports. Ensuring their interoperability requires dedicated optical frequency shifters that adapt to existing differences. The second aspect of interoperability relates to the ability to recover without human intervention after a link failure, e.g., a loss of power or a fiber break. Both aspects were investigated experimentally using two different repeater laser station designs in a 500 km laboratory fiber link, demonstrating the interoperability of the tested devices in various configurations. Transfer stability and frequency inaccuracy were comparable to those obtained in homogeneous chains, reaching 10−20 at averaging times of around 10⁴ seconds.

Figures

5 panels with data across 2 figures. Each panel page shows the plot, its columns and its files; each data.csv begins with a header naming the paper, the panel, the source, the license and the provenance route.

Fig. 1

Illustrative figure, no extractable data. Shown in the paper PDF. Page 2 of the PDF.

Fig. 2

Illustrative figure, no extractable data. Shown in the paper PDF. Page 3 of the PDF.

Fig. 3

Illustrative figure, no extractable data. Shown in the paper PDF. Page 4 of the PDF.

Fig. 4

Illustrative figure, no extractable data. Shown in the paper PDF. Page 4 of the PDF.

Fig. 5

Illustrative figure, no extractable data. Shown in the paper PDF. Page 6 of the PDF.

Fig. 6

Illustrative figure, no extractable data. Shown in the paper PDF. Page 7 of the PDF.

Fig. 7

• panel (1): Phase instability (s) against time (h) over 2.5 h: the residual phase of the two individual beat notes $f_{B13}$ and $f_{B31}$ and of their two-way average $(f_{B13}+f_{B31})/2$. The inset of the printed figure is its own panel, and the ellipse and arrow that mark its window in the print are not drawn. data.csv
• panel (1-inset): Inset of the printed figure: phase instability (s) against time (h) from 1 to 2 h for the two-way beat, drawn sample by sample, with its 10 min average as the red curve. The $1\times10^{-15}$ scale arrows of the print are not drawn. data.csv

Fig. 8

• panel (a): Modified Allan deviation (Mod ADEV) against averaging time (s) on log-log axes for configuration A: end-to-end and end-to-mid, each with $f_{REF2}$ internal (solid) and with $f_{REF2}$ modulated (dash-dot). The two solid curves are shown to about $5\times10^{3}$ s; the printed ones continue to $10^{4}$ s. data.csv
• panel (b): Modified Allan deviation (Mod ADEV) against averaging time (s) on log-log axes for configuration B: end-to-end and end-to-mid, each with $f_{REF2}$ internal (solid) and with $f_{REF2}$ modulated (dash-dot). The two solid curves are shown to about $5\times10^{3}$ s; the printed ones continue to $10^{4}$ s. data.csv
• panel (c): Mod ADEV against averaging time (s), log-log, configuration C: end-to-end with $f_{REF2}$ = internal OCXO, end-to-end with $f_{REF2}$ = $f_{REF1}$ (all referenced), and mid-to-end. Dashed lines: single ion and Sr lattice transportable clocks and a stationary Sr lattice clock. The first and third curves stop at $2.7\times10^{5}$ s, the printed ones near $4.6\times10^{5}$ s. data.csv

Cite

Ł. Śliwczyński, P. Krehlik, Ł. Buczek, H. Schnatz, J. Kronjäger, K. Turza, A. Binczewski. Interoperability in optical frequency transfer fiber optic links. Opt. Express 33, 32087 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1364/oe.566863

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