Kristan Corwin Research Group


	Researchers in the LUMOS laboratory at Kansas State Uninversity are working to create stable optical frequency combs by sending ultrafast laser pulses through specialty optical fibers. This generates a rainbow of optical frequencies, a supercontinuum. The properties of the rainbow spectrum that emerges from the fiber can be measured and used to stabilize the ultrafast laser. The stable pulse train, when amplified, can be used for atomic physics experiments.
			(photogallery)
	In addition, the broad spectrum is actually a comb of optical frequencies that
	spans the visible or near-infrared end of the spectrum. When stabilized, this
	comb forms a frequency "ruler" that can be used to measure unknown optical
	frequencies to very high precision.

	The LUMOS optical frequency comb will be used to make precise
	measurements of optical frequencies in molecular gases important for frequency
	standards in the telecommunications industry. By confining these gases in novel
	photonic bandgap fibers, precise saturation spectroscopy can be performed,
	toward improving the convenience and accuracy of these standards.