Researchers create more stable chip-sized frequency comb

A team led by the University of Auckland, NIST, and the University of Maryland built a new chip-integrated optical frequency comb that spans a full octave and keeps itself aligned, breaking past old limits for stability and control. Instead of using just one laser as before, they use two lasers spaced an octave apart—one in the telecom band, one in visible light—to create a stable signal without extra hardware. This could power portable atomic clocks and quantum navigation tools.

• Demonstrated octave-spanning frequency comb on a single chip
• Uses two lasers an octave apart instead of one
• Chip was made using standard foundry fabrication
• No extra external stabilization needed
• Patent application filed for commercialization