Abstract
A beat-note frequency stabilization system using a distributed-feedback laser and external cavity laser diode has become a very important technique for laser spectroscopy, where highly stabilized high-frequency beat notes are required. We have developed a simple and versatile system capable of stabilizing the high-frequency beat notes (3 to 11 GHz) of two lasers using a delayed radio frequency self-heterodyne interferometer and have confirmed its basic operation. The frequency stability of the obtained beat notes is higher than 1 MHz in the 3- to 11-GHz frequency range with an average time of 20 s.
Highlights
Frequency-tunable and frequency-stable microwave sources are becoming increasingly important in the fields of measurement/spectroscopy and communications
Since the frequency of the generated microwave signal directly corresponds to the frequency difference between the two optical sources, frequency fluctuation may arise if the optical sources are unstable
An external cavity diode laser (ECL) and a distributed feedback (DFB) laser are used as optical sources to create an optical beat note
Summary
Frequency-tunable and frequency-stable microwave sources are becoming increasingly important in the fields of measurement/spectroscopy and communications. Two independent lasers can be offset locked in atomic spectroscopy.[2,3,4,5,6] The OPLL is used in ion optical clocks[7,8] for quantum information processing, power combination of high-power lasers,[9] and microwave photonics.[10,11,12,13] In previous studies, several other techniques have been used to obtain highly stable and low-phase noise beat notes such as two-mode optical cavity atomic resonances[14] and injection locking schemes.[8] The frequency stabilities of these systems are less than 1 Hz for the best performance, when the stable frequency reference (e.g., ultralow expansion glass optical cavity and ultrastable oscillator) is used These systems require complicated circuits and/or special optical devices. Further improvement of frequency stability, i.e., higher than 10-kHz range stability, will be possible by using a narrow linewidth laser instead of the distributed-feedback laser used in our system
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
