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Wuhan University Journal of Natural Sciences

Frequency stabilization and linewidth narrowing with modulation transfer spectroscopy

Xi Zhang, Hui Liu, Kunliang Jiang, Jinqi Wang, Zhuan-Xian Xiong, Lingxiang He, Baolong Lü

Published Jan 12, 2018• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We report laser frequency stabilization with modulation transfer spectroscopy (MTS) on 85 Rb atoms. With both PZT (piezo-electric transducer) slow-loop feedback and current fastloop feedback to the laser head, we get a linewidth narrowing less than 5 kHz simultaneously. Laser injection to a laser diode and frequency beating with another polarization spectroscopy based stabilization setup are also employed to check the narrow linewidth property. With the help of the technique, a linewidth around kHz-level laser is obtained and pave the way for the locking of the lattice laser of ytterbium clock with transfer cavity technique. The setup can be used as a frequency reference for precise frequency control of atomic clock system.

DOI
10.1007/s11859-018-1293-2

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We report laser frequency stabilization with modulation transfer spectroscopy (MTS) on 85 Rb atoms. With both PZT (piezo-electric transducer) slow-loop feedback and current fastloop feedback to the laser head, we get a linewidth narrowing less than 5 kHz simultaneously. Laser injection to a laser diode and frequency beating with another polarization spectroscopy based stabilization setup are also employed to check the narrow linewidth property. With the help of the technique, a linewidth around kHz-level laser is obtained and pave the way for the locking of the lattice laser of ytterbium clock with transfer cavity technique. The setup can be used as a frequency reference for precise frequency control of atomic clock system.
We make a detailed comparison of frequency modulation spectroscopy (FMS) and modulation transfer spectroscopy (MTS) and of their applications in stabilizing laser frequency. In both FMS and MTS, intensity modulations of probe beam are observed in saturated absorption spectroscopy of 87Rb atoms. However, the two modulation profiles appear different due to their distinct origins. Demodulation gives rise to frequency discrimination spectra, which can serve as error signals for frequency locking. The optimal error signal of FMS has a larger linear slope but also a slanted baseline, in contrast to that of MTS. We apply FMS and MTS to stabilize two 780 nm external cavity diode lasers to D2 lines of 87Rb atoms. We measure laser linewidth and stability using beat notes of two independently locked lasers. A laser linewidth as narrow as 12.9 kHz is achieved in FMS locking, compared to 70.8 kHz in MTS locking. A laser stability at the level of 10−12 is reached in both schemes. Nevertheless, FMS locking offers a better short-term stability, whereas MTS locking yields a smaller long-term drift. Our investigation of FMS and MTS would be valuable for making a choice of these spectroscopy techniques for laser stabilization as well as other relevant applications.
The modulation transfer spectroscopy (MTS) technique used to stabilize two different transition lines of rubidium, required for laser cooling of atoms, is investigated. The laser source is based on a 1560 nm semiconductor laser diode that is amplified by an erbium doped fiber amplifier (EDFA). The laser output is frequency doubled with a fiber coupled periodically poled Lithium Niobate (PPLN) crystal to 780 nm. To address the weak spectral features of repumping laser, a theoretical study is conducted followed by experimental verification. The 87Rb D2 line F = 1 → F' = 0 transition temperature-enhanced MTS signal is observed, which provides a choice to stabilize the repumping laser frquency on the F = 1 → F ' = 2 transition using frequency shifting with acousto-optic modulators (AOMs). Compared with the orignal MTS signal, this method is shown to be more stable and accurate for laser frequency locking. Laer frequency locking is realized by controlling the driving current of the seed laser using digital PID feedback. After locking, the laser linewidth is 35.36 kHz.
The stabilizing and shifting of laser frequency are very important for the interaction between the laser and atoms. The modulation transfer spectroscopy for the 87 Rb atom with D2 line transition F = 2 → F′ = 3 is used for stabilizing and shifting the frequency of the external cavity grating feedback diode laser. The resonant phase modulator with electro—optical effect is used to generate frequency sideband to lock the laser frequency. In the locking scheme, circularly polarized pump- and probe-beams are used. By optimizing the temperature of the vapor, the pump- and probe-beam intensity, the laser linewidth of 280 kHz is obtained. Furthermore, the magnetic field generated by a solenoid is added into the system. Therefore the system can achieve the frequency locking at any point in a range of hundreds of megahertz frequency shifting with very low power loss.
In a spin-exchange relaxation-free (SERF) atomic magnetometer, the pump and probe laser frequencies are tuned to the D 1 transition line of alkali metal atoms to enhance measurement sensitivity. The D 1 line, a non-cycling transition, exhibits a low absorption coefficient. This study theoretically analyzes the influence of different parameters on the absorption coefficient of the D 1 line and proposes a polarization-dependent approach to enhance it. A frequency stabilization method based on modulation transfer spectroscopy (MTS) with an enhanced absorption coefficient is introduced. Compared with the conventional method, optimizing the probe beam’s polarization increases the absorption coefficient, raising the amplitude of the MTS signal. The results show that using a stronger MTS signal for frequency stabilization reduces the laser's frequency noise. Using heterodyne measurement, we characterize the linewidth-narrowing effect of MTS locking and evaluate the frequency stability of the locked laser. The linewidth of each laser is reduced from the free-running 2.2 MHz to 885 kHz after MTS stabilization. The Allan deviation measurements of the beat signal between two locked lasers are 2.6 × 10 −11 / τ . This work provides a stable optical frequency reference for SERF atomic magnetometers and offers potential applications in extracting spatial information from optically pumped atoms.
Closed-loop frequency stabilization-'laser locking'-is required for laser cooling, precision spectroscopy and atomic clocks. We compare the modulation transfer with the direct modulation in signal intensity and noise. By calculating, we get the conclusion that the ratio of signal intensity between modulation transfer scheme and the direct modulation scheme is 1.13:1 whereas the SNR of the modulation transfer scheme and the direct modulation scheme is almost 1.17:1, when the power of the laser is equal and without considering the details of interaction between lights and atoms. And we experimentally realized a stable external-cavity diode laser via MTS referencing on the Rb D2 lines at 780nm.
The stabilizing and shifting of laser frequency are very important for the interaction between the laser and atoms. The modulation transfer spectroscopy for the87 Rb atom with D2 line transition F = 2 → F = 3 is used for stabilizing and shifting the frequency of the external cavity grating feedback diode laser. The resonant phase modulator with electro–optical effect is used to generate frequency sideband to lock the laser frequency. In the locking scheme, circularly polarized pump- and probe-beams are used. By optimizing the temperature of the vapor, the pump- and probe-beam intensity, the laser linewidth of 280 kHz is obtained. Furthermore, the magnetic field generated by a solenoid is added into the system. Therefore the system can achieve the frequency locking at any point in a range of hundreds of megahertz frequency shifting with very low power loss.