© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

Terms Privacy Legal Notice

Applied Optics

Optical frequency standard by using a 1560 nm diode laser locked to saturated absorption lines of rubidium vapor

Shin Masuda, Atsushi Seki, Shoji Niki

Published Jul 3, 2007• 16 citations

Abstract

A robust, compact, highly accurate rubidium optical frequency standard module was developed to overcome the delicate performance of conventional frequency stabilized lasers. A frequency doubled 1560 nm distributed feedback diode laser locked to a rubidium D(2) saturated absorption line without using an optical amplifier was demonstrated, and dithering-free optical output was obtained. In addition, the sensitivity of the developed optical frequency standard to magnetic fields was investigated. We confirmed that the influence of the magnetic fields on the optical frequency standard can be almost negligible when using appropriate magnetic-shield films. As a result, the magnetic-field-insensitive optical frequency standard, which can be embedded in optical systems, exhibiting uncertainty less than at least 100 kHz, was successfully realized for the first time to the best of our knowledge.

DOI: 10.1364/ao.46.004780

Related papers

Toward the realization of a wavelength standard at 780 nm based on a laser diode frequency locked to rubidium vapor

M. Têtu, Normand Cyr, Bernard Villeneuve +3 more

The authors present the result of a study on the realization of an optical frequency standard based on a laser diode frequency-locked to Doppler resonance limited and sub-Doppler resonances of the /sup 87/Rb D/sub 2/-line (5S/sub 1/2/ from or to 5P/sub 3/2/, 780.027 nm). The characteristics of the signals obtained from the resonant phase-conjugate reflection, the nonlinear magnetic optical activity, and the saturated absorption are compared to the characteristics of the linear absorption signal. Improvement of laser diode frequency stability is discussed for these techniques. The experimental results indicate that the more complicated the system, the better defined is the reference line. >

IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement•Apr 1, 1991•24 citations

Toward the realization of a wavelength standard at 780 nm based on a laser diode frequency-locked to rubidium vapor

M. Têtu, Normand Cyr, Bernard Villeneuve +3 more

The authors present the result of a study on the realization of an optical frequency standard based on a laser diode frequency-locked to Doppler resonance limited and sub-Doppler resonances of the /sup 87/Rb D/sub 2/-line (5S/sub 1/2/ from or to 5P/sub 3/2/, 780.027 nm). The characteristics of the signals obtained from the resonant phase-conjugate reflection, the nonlinear magnetic optical activity, and the saturated absorption are compared to the characteristics of the linear absorption signal. Improvement of laser diode frequency stability is discussed for these techniques. The experimental results indicate that the more complicated the system, the better defined is the reference line.>

Conference on Precision Electromagnetic Measurements•Dec 4, 2002•0 citations

TOWARD THE REALIZATION OF A WAVELENGTH STANDARD TO RUBIDIUM VAPOR AT 780 nm BASED ON A LASER DIODE FREQUENCY-LOCKED

M. Têtu, Normand Cyr, B. ViUeneuve +3 more

We study Doppler limited and Sub-Doppler spectre scopic techniques to generate optical references from the D2-line (780 nm) of rubidium vapor. The characteristics of the signals obtained from the resonant phase conjugate reflection, the nonlinear magnetic optical activity and the saturated absorption are compared to the linear absorption signal. Improvement of laser diode frequency stability is discussed for these techniques.

•Jan 1, 1990•0 citations

Temperature-insensitive laser frequency stabilization with magnetic tuning

Lucas Willis, M. J. Lim

We have implemented a tunable laser frequency lock with a wide recapture range and low sensitivity to temperature fluctuation, based on electronically power-normalized Doppler-broadened absorption spectra. The method requires no frequency modulation. A distributed-feedback diode laser locked to this system exhibits submegahertz stability over many hours. It has been used to magneto-optically trap rubidium atoms for a full day.

Applied Optics•Apr 24, 2008•5 citations

Efficient frequency doubling of a telecom 1560 nm laser in a waveguide and frequency stabilization to Rb D2 line

Yashuai Han, Shanlong Guo, 王杰 Wang Jie +3 more

We experimentally demonstrate efficient frequency doubling of a telecom 1560 nm distributed feedback diode laser with a 3 cm long MgO:PPLN waveguide with a conversion coefficient of 114%/W.We investigate optical inhomogeneities by measuring the quasi-phase-matching temperature curve.The ~2.7 mW of second-harmonic power at 780 nm is sufficient to detect the Rb D 2 features using modulation transfer spectroscopy.The laser frequency is locked to a hyperfine transition of Rb D 2 line and typical residual frequency fluctuation of ±86 kHz (rms) is achieved within 30 min.Our experimental scheme can be used for realizing robust, compact, and highly accurate Rb stabilized 1560 nm laser systems for fiber-optic communication applications.

Chinese Optics Letters•Jan 1, 2014•11 citations

Compact Optical Frequency Standard with MEMS Vapor Cells

Qiaohui Yang, Zhenyu Hu, Tianyu Liu +7 more

This work introduces an innovative optical frequency standard that leverages MEMS vapor cells to achieve exceptional stability. To attain these objectives, we have integrated the modulation transfer spectroscopy (MTS) technique, which not only ensures high stability but also contributes to minimal power consumption in a compact form factor. Employing MTS with a high signal-to-noise ratio and utilizing a full bandwidth, high-speed servo feedback, we have successfully stabilized the laser frequency at the hyperfine transitions of rubidium atomic lines within the MEMS vapor cell. Furthermore, after the laser is locked, there is a significant narrowing effect on the laser linewidth. The current specifications of our compact optical frequency standard include a frequency Allan deviation of 4.8E-13@1s and the laser linewidth of only 18 kHz.

European Frequency and Time Forum•Jun 25, 2024•0 citations

A robust, compact, highly accurate rubidium optical frequency standard module was developed to overcome the delicate performance of conventional frequency stabilized lasers. A frequency doubled 1560 nm distributed feedback diode laser locked to a rubidium D(2) saturated absorption line without using an optical amplifier was demonstrated, and dithering-free optical output was obtained. In addition, the sensitivity of the developed optical frequency standard to magnetic fields was investigated. We confirmed that the influence of the magnetic fields on the optical frequency standard can be almost negligible when using appropriate magnetic-shield films. As a result, the magnetic-field-insensitive optical frequency standard, which can be embedded in optical systems, exhibiting uncertainty less than at least 100 kHz, was successfully realized for the first time to the best of our knowledge.

The authors present the result of a study on the realization of an optical frequency standard based on a laser diode frequency-locked to Doppler resonance limited and sub-Doppler resonances of the /sup 87/Rb D/sub 2/-line (5S/sub 1/2/ from or to 5P/sub 3/2/, 780.027 nm). The characteristics of the signals obtained from the resonant phase-conjugate reflection, the nonlinear magnetic optical activity, and the saturated absorption are compared to the characteristics of the linear absorption signal. Improvement of laser diode frequency stability is discussed for these techniques. The experimental results indicate that the more complicated the system, the better defined is the reference line. >

The authors present the result of a study on the realization of an optical frequency standard based on a laser diode frequency-locked to Doppler resonance limited and sub-Doppler resonances of the /sup 87/Rb D/sub 2/-line (5S/sub 1/2/ from or to 5P/sub 3/2/, 780.027 nm). The characteristics of the signals obtained from the resonant phase-conjugate reflection, the nonlinear magnetic optical activity, and the saturated absorption are compared to the characteristics of the linear absorption signal. Improvement of laser diode frequency stability is discussed for these techniques. The experimental results indicate that the more complicated the system, the better defined is the reference line.>

We experimentally demonstrate efficient frequency doubling of a telecom 1560 nm distributed feedback diode laser with a 3 cm long MgO:PPLN waveguide with a conversion coefficient of 114%/W.We investigate optical inhomogeneities by measuring the quasi-phase-matching temperature curve.The ~2.7 mW of second-harmonic power at 780 nm is sufficient to detect the Rb D 2 features using modulation transfer spectroscopy.The laser frequency is locked to a hyperfine transition of Rb D 2 line and typical residual frequency fluctuation of ±86 kHz (rms) is achieved within 30 min.Our experimental scheme can be used for realizing robust, compact, and highly accurate Rb stabilized 1560 nm laser systems for fiber-optic communication applications.

This work introduces an innovative optical frequency standard that leverages MEMS vapor cells to achieve exceptional stability. To attain these objectives, we have integrated the modulation transfer spectroscopy (MTS) technique, which not only ensures high stability but also contributes to minimal power consumption in a compact form factor. Employing MTS with a high signal-to-noise ratio and utilizing a full bandwidth, high-speed servo feedback, we have successfully stabilized the laser frequency at the hyperfine transitions of rubidium atomic lines within the MEMS vapor cell. Furthermore, after the laser is locked, there is a significant narrowing effect on the laser linewidth. The current specifications of our compact optical frequency standard include a frequency Allan deviation of 4.8E-13@1s and the laser linewidth of only 18 kHz.