Measuring Fine Dust with 'Ultra-Stable Optical Frequency'

On the 8th, the city center of Seoul appeared hazy as fine dust levels were recorded as 'bad' across Seoul and the surrounding metropolitan area. Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Junho Hwang] A domestic research team has developed a high-performance frequency stabilization technology using optical fiber optics. Frequency stabilization of optical frequencies, which previously required expensive large-scale equipment, can now be achieved with affordable compact devices, and it is expected to be applied in various precision measurement fields using light. The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) announced these research results from Professor Jungwon Kim's mechanical engineering team on the 8th.

High-Performance Frequency Stabilization Using Optical Fiber

Multiple Pulse Laser Frequency Stabilization Technology and Applications Using Fiber Optic Technology

The research team developed a high-performance frequency stabilization technology utilizing optical fiber optics used in optical communications. Using this technology, the linewidths of more than 600,000 optical frequency modes distributed at regular intervals over a wide bandwidth of 150 terahertz (THz) can be simultaneously reduced to the level of 1 hertz (Hz).

By applying this technology, expensive high-frequency stabilization devices worth hundreds of millions of won are no longer necessary. The research team successfully completed frequency stabilization experiments by constructing a compact device smaller than half an A4 sheet of paper. The optical fiber used in this device for optical communications is a material with secured reliability and price competitiveness.

Utilization in Precision Measurements Using Light Sources Such as Atomic Clocks and Atmospheric Pollutant Measurement

Professor Kim Jung-won (left) and Doctoral Candidate Kwon Do-hyun

The research team stated that this technology enables securing high-performance light sources, allowing precision measurements in various fields.

The linewidth of lasers and the stability of optical frequencies can be used for precision measurements in fundamental science fields such as time and frequency standards, quantum optics, and spectroscopy, as well as in various engineering applications including distance measurement, shape imaging, and distributed sensors.

For example, it can be applied to atomic clocks that measure time through the frequency of electromagnetic waves generated by electrons within atoms, or serve as a core technology for measuring atmospheric pollutants using high-performance light sources, according to the research team.

Professor Kim said, "By utilizing the results of this research, frequency stabilization at the level of one part in a thousand trillion can be achieved with small, lightweight, and low-cost devices, which can contribute to expanding various quantum sensors into sensor networks."

This research was conducted with support from the Korea Research Foundation's Mid-Career Researcher Support Program and was published last month in the international journal Science Advances.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.