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Definition: devices for reducing the intensity noise of an optical beam by automatically adjusting the degree of power attenuation
A noise eater is a device made for reducing the intensity noise in a laser beam. The principle of operation is that the optical power is reduced with an electrically controllable attenuator, and the control signal is derived from the input power (feedforward scheme) or the output power (feedback scheme) as measured with, e.g., a photodiode. This makes it possible to stabilize the laser power, i.e., to decrease intensity noise.
The most common approach is that based on an electronic feedback loop, e.g. of a PID type. An electro-optic modulator can be used to control the power throughput with a high servo bandwidth. Proper design of the feedback electronics is vital for achieving effective noise suppression over a large bandwidth.
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See also: laser noise, intensity noise, stabilization of lasers
Categories: fluctuations and noise, photonic devices
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