Synchronization of an Ultrafast Ti:Sapphire Laser to the S-Band Microwave

We have synchronized a 102-MHz ultrafast self-mode-locked Ti:sapphire laser to a 2856-MHz rf source with the sample-locking technology. The relative root-mean-square time-jitter is 0.57 ps and the maximum time jitter is 2.60 ps. This is the first time that synchronization between the ultrafast laser pulse and the s-band microwave has been accomplished in China. Potential applications include synchronization of lasers and rf power sources in particle accelerator experiments and high-resolution pump-probe experiments.