Frequency stability limits of optical frequency intervals in new generation optical-to-microwave frequency chains

The limit of the frequency stability that can be transferred by new generation optical-to-microwave frequency chains is discussed. This limit is imposed by the quality of the optical frequency intervals which are formed by electronic phase locked extended cavity laser diodes. The major noise sources associated with this were identified and independently measured, in particular the residual phase noise, cycle slipping and path length fluctuations.