US 11,881,682 B2
Fast modulation of the resonant frequency of an optical resonator
Martin Enderlein, Munich (DE); Manfred Hager, Munich (DE); Thomas A. Puppe, Munich (DE); and Frank Lison, Gauting (DE)
Assigned to TOPTICA Photonics AG, Gräfelfing (DE)
Filed by TOPTICA Photonics AG, Gräfelfing (DE)
Filed on Jun. 16, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/348,971.
Claims priority of application No. 10 2020 115 877.7 (DE), filed on Jun. 16, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2021/0391690 A1, Dec. 16, 2021
Int. Cl. H01S 3/13 (2006.01); H01S 5/0687 (2006.01); H01S 5/06 (2006.01); H01S 5/14 (2006.01); H01S 3/139 (2006.01); H01S 5/00 (2006.01)
CPC H01S 5/0687 (2013.01) [H01S 3/1305 (2013.01); H01S 3/139 (2013.01); H01S 5/0092 (2013.01); H01S 5/0604 (2013.01); H01S 5/14 (2013.01)] 24 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for modulating a resonant frequency of an optical resonator in accordance with a periodic modulation signal, comprising the following method steps:
deriving an error signal from a light field circulating in the resonator, wherein the error signal indicates a deviation of an optical frequency of the light field from an intended resonant frequency predetermined by said periodic modulation signal,
deriving a first actuating signal from the error signal by means of a controller,
generating a second actuating signal, which has actuating-signal components at a plurality of at least two higher harmonics of a fundamental frequency of the modulation signal, and
applying a superposition signal made up of the first and the second actuating signal to an actuator that changes an optical path length of the resonator, so that the resonant frequency of the optical resonator follows the modulation signal.