Abstract
Laser cooling of trapped atoms and ions in optical clocks
demands stable light sources with precisely known
absolute frequencies. Since a frequency comb is a vital
part of any optical clock, the comb lines can be used for
stabilizing tunable, user-friendly diode lasers. Here, a
light source for laser cooling of trapped strontium ions
is described. The megahertz-level stability and absolute
frequency required are realized by stabilizing a
distributed-feedback semiconductor laser to a frequency
comb. Simple electronics is used to lock and scan the
laser across the comb lines, and comb mode number
ambiguities are resolved by using a separate, saturated
absorption cell that exhibits easily distinguishable
hyperfine absorption lines with known frequencies. Due to
the simplicity, speed, and wide tuning range it offers,
the employed technique could find wider use in precision
spectroscopy.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 7476-7482 |
Journal | Applied Optics |
Volume | 53 |
Issue number | 31 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2014 |
MoE publication type | A1 Journal article-refereed |
Keywords
- laser stabilization
- lasers, distributed-feedback
- laser cooling
- spectroscopy, diode lasers
- spectroscopy, saturation