Subpicosecond timing control using optical double-pulses correlation measurement

Optical pulse timing control is very important for stabilizing extremely dense optical signal handling devices such as optical time-division multiplexers. We realize a module that offers subpicosecond pulse-timing monitoring and stabilization through the use of optical double pulses and their cross-correlation signals. A 45-ps timing drift due to the temperature change of a fiber is stabilized to within 0.8 ps without high-speed electronic circuits. This module has excellent time resolution, better than 0.1 ps, due to its stable double-pulse distance and correlation measurement mechanism.