Optical frequency comb technology: from ground to space

Abstract: Optical frequency combs, as powerful tools for precision spectroscopy and research into optical frequency standards, have driven continuous progress and significant breakthroughs in applications such as time-frequency transfer, measurement of fundamental physical constants, and high-precision ranging, achieving a series of milestone results in ground-based environments. With the continuous maturation and evolution of femtosecond lasers and related technologies, optical frequency combs are moving from ground-based applications to astronomical and space-based applications, playing an increasingly important role in atomic clocks, exoplanet observations, gravitational wave measurements, and other areas. This paper, focusing on astronomical and space-based applications, reviews research progress on astronomical frequency combs, optical clock time-frequency networks, gravitational waves, dark matter measurement, dual-comb large-scale absolute ranging, and high-resolution atmospheric spectroscopy. With enhanced performance and their gradual application in the field of space-based research, optical frequency combs will undoubtedly provide more powerful support for astronomical science and cosmic exploration in the future.