DFC Beat Detection
Flexible and high-performance beat detection
Never skip a beat
DFC Beat Detection Flexible and high-performance beat detection
Never skip a beat. Reliable beat detection forms the foundation of stable laser locks. Our beam combiners DFC BC or DFC BCF work together with the monochromatic detector DFC MD to deliver beat signals with highest signal-to-noise ratio for frequency comb applications. Their modular design offers flexibility and allows beam combination and beat detection at separate locations, making it easy to integrate the system into a wide range of experimental layouts.
Designed for seamless use with TOPTICA’s DFC and all TOPTICA lasers, the modules also support other CW laser systems. High-performance, long-term stable, and easy to integrate, they provide a practical solution for precise beat detection and frequency stabilization in demanding experiments.
Designed for seamless use with TOPTICA’s DFC and all TOPTICA lasers, the modules also support other CW laser systems. High-performance, long-term stable, and easy to integrate, they provide a practical solution for precise beat detection and frequency stabilization in demanding experiments.
Your Benefits
Highest signal-to-noise ratio
The interplay of TOPTICA’s beam combiner and monochromatic detector enable signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) of more than 50 dB. This is a result of a design meant for highest performance including a grating filter with a bandwidth of only 10 GHz to suppress unwanted comb modes.
Design flexibility, your choice
Our beam combiners DFC BC and DFC BCF are convenient to use since comb and CW laser light are fiber-coupled. At the same time, the DFC BC allows for maximum flexibility by adapting the combination ratio of both beams via polarization optics according to the needs of your demanding experiment. Or choose the cost efficient all-fiber beam combiner DFC BCF with a choice of 3 fixed combination ratios.
Broad wavelength coverage and tunability
One solution for many laser systems and applications. Supporting wavelengths from 420 to 2000 nm, our beat detection units offer a broad coverage and tunable spectral filtering. Ideal for research setups that evolve over time.
Use every photon of your CW laser
We care about the efficiency of your setup. The CW laser light that is not needed for the optical beat can be reused for your experiment or to determine the comb tooth order with a wavemeter. The architecture of our beam combiners ensures that the remaining CW laser light does not contain any comb light which would cause trouble for any further use.
Stable signals for precision frequency stabilization
Confident locking for demanding experiments. The narrowband monochromatic detector provides clean RF beat signals that can be fed directly into TOPTICA locking electronics, enabling reliable frequency measurement and stable locking of either the CW laser to the comb or the comb to the laser.
Applications
Options
DFC BC
Beam combiner (comb + CW laser), adjustable split ratio for comb and CW laser light, fiber-coupled inputs, free space or fiber-coupled output.
DFC BCF
Beam combiner all-fiber (comb + CW laser), fixed split ratio for comb and CW laser light, fiber-coupled output.
DFC MD
Monochromatic detector unit, fiber-coupled, use with DFC BC / DFC BCF.
MDFC BEAT
Modular base for rack-mounting up to three pairs of beat detection units.