In sensitive optical applications, obtaining the most precise measurements often involves stabilizing the laser with an external reference. One way to synchronize the phase of a signal is by using a phase-locked loop (PLL).

During this presentation, we introduce the concept of phase locking and demonstrate how to construct an optical PLL with FPGA-based instrumentation, using a fully digital lock-in amplifier, waveform generator, and phasemeter. You’ll see how to increase measurement precision, reduce experimental complexity, and minimize costs with flexible, software-defined instruments. You’ll also find out how to leverage Python for PLL control and feedback.