Precision optical metrologies rely on the frequency stability of their optical source to reach unprecedented sensitivities. The free-running frequency stability of commercial lasers are often insufficient for these applications, requiring stabilisation to an external reference. At short integration timescales, the standard reference of choice is an ultra-low-expansion (ULE) cavity. These systems however can be bulky and fragile, particularly in harsh environments such as space interferometry.

 In this talk, I will discuss work towards developing an all-optical fibre frequency reference as a cavity alternative for these missions and applications. The fibre system is passive, intrinsically aligned with high dynamic range readout and near-parity performance with ULE systems. The construction and characterisation of this fibre frequency reference are detailed in this seminar, with a focus on fundamental fibre thermal noise and double Rayleigh backscattering.