Summary
In modern atomic physics, narrow linewidth and stable optical
sources are needed. Semiconductor diode lasers are among the
promise optical sources thanks to their compactness, reliability and
low cost. However they have poor spectral quality, broad linewidth and
high intrinsic noise due to spontaneous emission. One can improved
these properties using optical and/or electronic feedback.
We designed and built a locking scheme to stabilize the frequency of
semiconductor diode lasers to the resonance of high finesse
Fabry-Perot cavities, in order to achieve linewidths of a few Hertz. Two
single frequency semiconductor lasers operating at 657 nm, and
used in Littman configuration, are mode-matched to independent high
finesse cavities, which are thermally and mechanically stabilized. The
lasers are then locked to these cavities using the Pound-Drever-Hall
Technique.
These lasers will be compared to each other, for studying of the noise
sources, and will serve as local oscillators for optical atomic clocks
based on neutral calcium atoms, for high-resolution spectroscopy of
the 40Ca transition at 657 nm, or for atomic interferometry
experiments.
In modern atomic physics, narrow linewidth and stable optical
sources are needed. Semiconductor diode lasers are among the
promise optical sources thanks to their compactness, reliability and
low cost. However they have poor spectral quality, broad linewidth and
high intrinsic noise due to spontaneous emission. One can improved
these properties using optical and/or electronic feedback.
We designed and built a locking scheme to stabilize the frequency of
semiconductor diode lasers to the resonance of high finesse
Fabry-Perot cavities, in order to achieve linewidths of a few Hertz. Two
single frequency semiconductor lasers operating at 657 nm, and
used in Littman configuration, are mode-matched to independent high
finesse cavities, which are thermally and mechanically stabilized. The
lasers are then locked to these cavities using the Pound-Drever-Hall
Technique.
These lasers will be compared to each other, for studying of the noise
sources, and will serve as local oscillators for optical atomic clocks
based on neutral calcium atoms, for high-resolution spectroscopy of
the 40Ca transition at 657 nm, or for atomic interferometry
experiments.
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Laser frequency stabilization