High-efficiency coupled-cavity optical frequency comb generation

Abstract: We present a high efficiency source of picosecond pulses derived from a dual cavity optical frequency comb generator. This approach overcomes the limitations of single cavity comb generators that are restricted to efficiencies of a few percent. We achieve picosecond pulses with GHz repetition rates offering over a hundred times higher output efficiency than a single cavity design and demonstrate tuning of pulse width by varying the modulation depth of the intra-cavity electro-optic modulator. These results provide a wavelength-agnostic design with a compact footprint for the development of portable picosecond pulsed laser systems for timing, metrology, and LIDAR applications.