| 5th of May 2021 |
|---|
 |
| ATNF Colloquium |
| Title: Phase Stabilization for Space Science Applications: from radio telescopes to laser communications |
| David Gozzard (ICRAR/UWA) |
|
Abstract:
The distribution of high-precision time and frequency signals from
atomic clocks is indispensable for many fields of fundamental and
applied science. Timescale comparison between atomic clocks enables
the highest-precision tests of foundational physics including tests of
the General Theory of Relativity, the variability of fundamental
constants, and searches for dark matter candidates. Radio astronomy,
geodesy, and global navigation satellite systems also benefit from
networks of atomic clocks. In order to fully exploit the precision of
the atomic clocks, the transmission link must be more stable than the
atomic clocks themselves. However, disturbances on the link (thermal
effects and vibration, in the case of an optical fibre, and
atmospheric turbulence, in the case of a free-space link) cause phase
and amplitude noise that greatly degrade the precision of the
transmission.
This talk will begin with an overview of stabilized frequency transfer technology developed by the ICRAR-UWA Astrophotonics group to phase synchronize the antennas of the SKA telescope. The talk will then cover how this technology is being translated to stabilize ground-to-space laser links for fundamental science and high-bandwidth laser communications applications. |