Interference filter based external-cavity diode laser with combined dual interference filters and largely adjustable feedback range

Abstract

External-cavity diode lasers (ECDL) are widely used as light sources in laser spectroscopy, atomic physics, and quantum optics. This study demonstrated a home-made 852–nm ECDL with variable feedback, using the combined dual narrow-band interference filters (IFs) as the laser longitudinal mode selection element. The combination of narrow-band IFs, mainly for the current commercially available narrow-band IFs with the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of approximately 0.5 nm for 780-895 nm. We designed different narrow-band IFs combinations to achieve a narrower FWHM, and applied them in the ECDL. The combination of the dual narrow-band IFs further reduces the laser linewidth. We measured the laser linewidth using a high-finesse Fabry-Perot cavity with a linewidth of approximately 10 kHz. The laser linewidth is approximately 176 kHz for the Single-IF-ECDL and 96 kHz for the Dual-IF-ECDL with the same feedback. In addition, we have experimentally verified the results of narrower laser linewidth and larger tuning range with increase in the feedback. The developed Dual-IF-ECDL has the capability of narrow linewidth and wavelength tunability and can be applied to precision spectroscopy, cooling and trapping of neutral atoms.