Optical Combs Tie Radio Telescopes Together With Higher Timing Precision
Scientists demonstrated using optical frequency combs to transmit timing signals for very-long-baseline interferometry (VLBI), boosting synchronization among dispersed radio telescopes (e.g., Korea’s VLB Yonsei) beyond hydrogen-maser clocks. The proof-of-concept achieved up to 50 GHz with commercial photodiodes, and the fiber-based approach can carry multiple wavelengths to better correct atmospheric fluctuations, enabling more precise coordinated observations.