Wideband RF spectral analyzer based on spectral-spatial holography in Tm3+:YAG achieved with a highly stabilized frequency chirped laser

We demonstrate a 10 GHz spectrum analyzer with MHz resolution and a 30 dB dynamic range using the spectral hole burning (SHB) Tm3+:YAG crystal working at 793 nm. Thanks to the fast and linear chirping capabilities of the laser used, it has a potential 100% probability of interception and a response time in the ms range. The system is compared to a previously demonstrated SHB spectral analyzer. We also investigate theoretically and experimentally the requirements for the frequency chirped laser sources spectral purity and their influences on the precision of our experiment.