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| Book/Report/Dissertation / PhD Thesis | PUBDB-2017-01934 |
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2017
Verlag Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron
Hamburg
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Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.3204/PUBDB-2017-01934
Report No.: DESY-THESIS-2017-015
Abstract: Low-noise transfer of time and frequency standards over large distances provides high temporal resolution for ambitious scientific explorations such as sensitive imaging of astronomical objects using multi-telescope arrays, comparison of distant optical clocks or gravitational-wave detection using large laser interferometers. In particular, rapidly expanding photon science facilities such as X-ray free-electron lasers (FELs) and attoscience centers have the most challenging synchronization requirements of sub-fs timing precision to generate ultrashort X-ray pulses for the benefit of creating super-microscopes with sub-atomic spatiotemporal resolution. The critical task in these facilities is to synchronize various pulsed lasers and microwave sources across multi-kilometer distances as required for seeded FELs and attosecond pump-probe experiments. So far, there has been no timing distribution system meeting this strict requirement. Therefore, insufficient temporal precision provided by the current synchronization systems hinders the development of attosecond hard X-ray photon science facilities. The aim of this thesis is to devise a timing distribution system satisfying the most challenging synchronization requirements in science mandated by the next-generation photon science facilities. Using the pulsed-optical timing distribution approach, attosecond timing precision is realized by thoroughly investigating and eliminating the remaining noise sources in the synchronization system. First, optical and microwave timing detection schemes are further developed to support long-term stable, attosecond-precision measurements. Second, the feasibility of the master laser to support a kilometer-scale timing network with attosecond precision is examined by experimentally characterizing its free-running timing jitter and improving its long-term frequency stability with a sophisticated environmental insulation. Third, nonlinear pulse propagation inside optical fibers is studied both experimentally and numerically. The outcomes of the experimental and numerical analysis provide fundamental guidelines to minimize high- and low-frequency noise sources in the system. With these key developments in the link stabilization, a 4.7-km fiber link network is realized with a total timing jitter of 580 as RMS measured from 1 μs to 52 h. Efficient synchronization of slave mode-locked lasers and slave microwave oscillators to the fiber link network is realized and further optimized with the help of a comprehensive feedback loop analysis. Ultimately, a complete laser-microwave network incorporating two mode-locked lasers and one microwave source is demonstrated with total 950-as timing jitter integrated from 1 μs to 18 h. This work paves the way to unfold the full potential of next-generation attosecond photon science facilities, thereby to revolutionize many research fields from structural biology to material science and from chemistry to fundamental physics.
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