Description
The Maser, a precursor to the Laser, is a device that utilises stimulated emission of radiation to amplify coherent RF signals in the GHz range with minimal added noise. Traditional maser technologies, such as hydrogen masers, offer high-frequency precision but typically require vacuum systems, magnetic fields, or cryogenic cooling, limiting their deployment in compact space-borne systems.
In this presentation, we report the development and characterisation of a room-temperature, optically pumped L-band maser system. Four organic maser gain mediums operating at 1.450 GHz (Pc: PTP) and 1.478 GHz (DAP: PTP) have been characterised. We report the first room-temperature milli-watt maser, achieving a the first positive dBm peak power, significantly higher than conventional hydrogen masers, operating without cryogenics or applied magnetic fields. The study demonstrates strong spectral coherence with preliminary results indicating coherence times and lengths that are highly promising for quantum communication and signal processing applications. A room-temperature Rabi analysis revealed an increased Rabi frequency in DAP: PTP samples at 15.849 MHz, compared to previously attempted Pc: PTP samples with 6.2 MHz. This advancement enhances the feasibility of continuous mode L-band masing by overcoming a spin population bottleneck, contributing to the potential for practical implementation in quantum technologies.
We present an opportunity for future development in quantum-coherent microwave systems for quantum sensing, low-noise amplification modules for radio telescopes and L-band quantum communication systems.
