A flight-like absolute optical frequency reference based on iodine for laser systems at 1064 nm

We present an absolute optical frequency reference based on precision spectroscopy of hyperfine transitions in molecular iodine $$^{127}$$127I$$_2$$2 for laser systems operating at 1064 nm. A quasi-monolithic spectroscopy setup was developed, integrated, and tested with respect to potential deployment in space missions that require frequency stable laser systems. We report on environmental tests of the setup and its frequency stability and reproducibility before and after each test. Furthermore, we report on the first measurements of the frequency stability of the iodine reference with an unsaturated absorption cell which will greatly simplify its application in space missions. Our frequency reference fulfills the requirements on the frequency stability for planned space missions such as LISA or NGGM.

[1]  Jun Ishikawa,et al.  Comparison of independent optical frequency measurements using a portable I/sub 2/-stabilized Nd:YAG laser , 2002, Conference Digest Conference on Precision Electromagnetic Measurements.

[2]  O. Fitzau,et al.  High stability laser for next generation gravity missions , 2017, International Conference on Space Optics.

[3]  Jing Zhang,et al.  Portable I2-stabilized Nd: YAG laser for international comparisons , 2001, IEEE Trans. Instrum. Meas..

[4]  G Galzerano,et al.  International comparison of two iodine-stabilized frequency-doubled Nd:YAG lasers at λ = 532 nm , 2000 .

[5]  Hubert Halloin,et al.  Molecular laser stabilization at low frequencies for the LISA mission , 2010 .

[6]  Karsten Danzmann,et al.  Intersatellite laser ranging instrument for the GRACE follow-on mission , 2012, Journal of Geodesy.

[7]  Daniel A Shaddock,et al.  Frequency stabilization for space-based missions using optical fiber interferometry. , 2013, Optics letters.

[8]  L. G. Boté,et al.  Laser Interferometer Space Antenna , 2012 .

[9]  Karsten Danzmann,et al.  LISA technology - concept, status, prospects , 2003 .

[10]  G Santarelli,et al.  Prototype of an ultra-stable optical cavity for space applications. , 2012, Optics express.

[11]  E. Jaatinen,et al.  Possible influence of residual amplitude modulation when using modulation transfer with iodine transitions at 543 nm , 1998 .

[12]  Frédéric du Burck,et al.  Narrow-band correction of the residual amplitude modulation in frequency-modulation spectroscopy , 2003, IEEE Trans. Instrum. Meas..

[13]  R L Byer,et al.  Absolute frequency stabilization of diode-laser-pumped Nd:YAG lasers to hyperfine transitions in molecular iodine. , 1992, Optics letters.

[14]  J. Camp,et al.  Space interferometry application of laser frequency stabilization with molecular iodine. , 2006, Applied optics.

[15]  Ye Li,et al.  Realization of Four-Pass $I_{2}$ Absorption Cell in 532-nm Optical Frequency Standard , 2007, IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement.

[16]  T. J. Quinn,et al.  A new type of iodine cell for stabilized lasers , 1993 .

[17]  Josef Lazar,et al.  Absolute frequency shifts of iodine cells for laser stabilization , 2009 .

[18]  A. Clairon,et al.  Nd: YAG laser frequency stabilized for space applications , 2019, International Conference on Space Optics — ICSO 2010.

[19]  Martin Gohlke,et al.  Picometre and nanoradian heterodyne interferometry and its application in dilatometry and surface metrology , 2012 .

[20]  Josef Lazar,et al.  Spectral properties of molecular iodine in absorption cells filled to specified saturation pressure. , 2014, Applied optics.

[21]  Thilo Schuldt,et al.  JOKARUS - design of a compact optical iodine frequency reference for a sounding rocket mission , 2017, 1702.08330.

[22]  Martin Gohlke,et al.  Ultrastable assembly and integration technology for ground- and space-based optical systems. , 2010, Applied optics.

[23]  Rachel J. Cruz,et al.  Laser interferometer space antenna simulator , 2005 .

[24]  R. Spero,et al.  A flight-like optical reference cavity for GRACE follow-on laser frequency stabilization , 2011, 2011 Joint Conference of the IEEE International Frequency Control and the European Frequency and Time Forum (FCS) Proceedings.

[25]  Mark Notcutt,et al.  Spherical reference cavities for frequency stabilization of lasers in non-laboratory environments. , 2011, Optics express.

[26]  P C Hobbs,et al.  Ultrasensitive laser measurements without tears. , 1997, Applied optics.

[28]  Stephen Webster,et al.  Force-insensitive optical cavity. , 2011, Optics letters.

[29]  Frank Flechtner,et al.  What Can be Expected from the GRACE-FO Laser Ranging Interferometer for Earth Science Applications? , 2016, Surveys in Geophysics.

[30]  A. Peters,et al.  Highly stable piezoelectrically tunable optical cavities , 2013, 1302.1776.

[31]  Thilo Schuldt,et al.  Development of a compact optical absolute frequency reference for space with 10-15 instability. , 2017, Applied optics.

[32]  Theodor W. Hänsch,et al.  Frequency Comparison and Absolute Frequency Measurement of I2-stabilized Lasers at 532 nm , 2001 .

[33]  David Holleville,et al.  Ultra-stable clock laser system development towards space applications , 2016, Scientific Reports.

[34]  J. Shirley,et al.  Modulation transfer processes in optical heterodyne saturation spectroscopy. , 1982, Optics letters.

[35]  Olivier Lopez,et al.  Narrow band noise rejection technique for laser frequency and length standards: application to frequency stabilization to I2 lines near dissociation limit at 501.7 nm , 2009 .

[36]  Hirokazu Matsumoto,et al.  Frequency reproducibility of an iodine-stabilized Nd:YAG laser at 532 nm , 2004 .