Abstract
We demonstrate a miniature microfabricated saturated absorption laser spectrometer. The system consists of miniature optics, a microfabricated Rb vapor cell, heaters, and a photodetector, all contained within a volume of 0.1 cm(3). Saturated absorption spectra were measured with a diode laser at 795 nm. They are comparable to signals obtained with standard table-top setups, although the rubidium vapor cell has an interior volume of only 1 mm(3). We discuss the performance and prospects for using such systems as a miniature optical wavelength reference, compatible with transportable instruments.
Highlights
Since the development of suitable single-mode diode lasers, sub-Doppler spectroscopy on alkali atoms such as rubidium and cesium has become an essential tool for a wide variety of atomic physics experiments [1]
In many of these experiments, it is essential to tightly stabilize the laser frequency to a specific atomic transition. Various spectroscopic techniques such as saturated absorption spectroscopy [2,3,4], polarization spectroscopy [5], dichroicatomic-vapor laser lock (DAVLL) [6, 7], and selective reflection spectroscopy [8,9,10,11] have been used for sub-Doppler or Doppler spectroscopy in alkali vapor cells
Well-behaved distributed-feedback (DFB) lasers and distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) lasers are available at wavelengths around 1.5 μm, where they can be used for saturated absorption spectroscopy in acetylene [20] or in the two-photon transition in rubidium [21]
Summary
Since the development of suitable single-mode diode lasers, sub-Doppler spectroscopy on alkali atoms such as rubidium and cesium has become an essential tool for a wide variety of atomic physics experiments [1] In many of these experiments, it is essential to tightly stabilize the laser frequency to a specific atomic transition. Well-behaved distributed-feedback (DFB) lasers and distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) lasers are available at wavelengths around 1.5 μm, where they can be used for saturated absorption spectroscopy in acetylene [20] or in the two-photon transition in rubidium [21] Such a miniature spectroscopy setup could be used to frequency stabilize telecom lasers between 1540 nm and 1590 nm by adding a PPLN (periodically poled lithium niobate) waveguide in front of the Rb or K spectrometer. Those systems cannot be miniaturized or reduced to small devices
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