Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics

Programmable frequency reference for laser stabilization using persistent spectral hole burning

Peter B. Sellin, Nick Strickland, John L. Carlsten, R. L. Cone

Published Jan 20, 2003• 0 citations

Abstract

Summary form only given. The first known demonstration of laser frequency stabilization using a solid-state persistent spectral hole burning material as the frequency reference is reported. Unlike gas phase transitions or Fabry-Perot resonances, spectral holes for frequency references can be prepared at any frequency within a broad inhomogeneous absorption profile (15 GHz in the material demonstrated here). Several lasers may be stabilized to multiple spectral holes, either in the same or separate absorption bands, with arbitrary frequency separations.

DOI: 10.1109/cleo.1999.834192

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Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics

Programmable frequency reference for laser stabilization using persistent spectral hole burning

Peter B. Sellin, Nick Strickland, John L. Carlsten, R. L. Cone

Published Jan 20, 2003• 0 citations

Publisher

Abstract

DOI: 10.1109/cleo.1999.834192

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We report what is believed to be the first demonstration of laser frequency stabilization directly to persistent spectral holes in a solid-state material. The frequency reference material was deuterated CaF(2): Tm(3+) prepared with 25-MHz-wide persistent spectral holes on the H(6)(3)?H(4)(3) transition at 798 nm. The beat frequency between two lasers that were independently locked to persistent spectral holes in separate crystal samples showed typical root Allan variances of 780+/-120Hz for 20-50-ms integration times.We report what is believed to be the first demonstration of laser frequency stabilization directly to persistent spectral holes in a solid-state material. The frequency reference material was deuterated CaF(2): Tm(3+) prepared with 25-MHz-wide persistent spectral holes on the H(6)(3)?H(4)(3) transition at 798 nm. The beat frequency between two lasers that were independently locked to persistent spectral holes in separate crystal samples showed typical root Allan variances of 780+/-120Hz for 20-50-ms integration times.

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{}^{4}{I}_{15/2}{(1)}^{4}{I}_{13/2}(1)

optical absorption of an

{\mathrm{Er}}^{3+}:{\mathrm{Y}}_{2}{\mathrm{SiO}}_{5}

crystal was used as the short-term frequency reference, while a variation on the locking technique allowed simultaneous use of the inhomogeneously broadened absorption line as a long-term reference. The reported frequency stability was achieved without vibration isolation. Spectral hole burning frequency stabilization provides ideal laser sources for high-resolution spectroscopy, real-time optical signal processing, and a range of applications requiring ultra-narrow-band light sources or coherent detection; the time scale for stability and the compatibility with spectral hole burning devices make this technique complementary to other frequency references for laser stabilization.