Ultrasensitive High Resolution Laser Spectroscopy and Its Application to Optical Frequency Standards

Abstract

Advanced laser stabilization techniques now permit one to lock laser frequencies onto line centers of natural atomic/molecular resonances with unprecedented precision and accuracy, leading to improved visible optical frequency standards. A novel approach of cavity-enhanced frequency modulation spectroscopy is demonstrated to enjoy a record high sensitivity (6 x 10(-12) integrated absorption), working with a rich spectrum of weak molecular overtone transitions. The resultant high signal-to-noise ratio allows a Nd:YAG laser to be stabilized on the overtone transition at the level of 1 x 10(-14) in 800 seconds. For the work of coherent optical frequency connection, we present our recent development of an optical frequency comb generator with a 3-terahertz span.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 1996
Accession Number
ADA505521

Entities

People

  • John L. Hall
  • Jun Ye
  • Long-sheng Ma

Organizations

  • University of Colorado Boulder

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acousto-Optic Modulators
  • Detection
  • Doppler Effect
  • Electro-Optic Modulators
  • Frequency
  • Frequency Combs
  • Frequency Standards
  • High Resolution
  • Laser Beams
  • Laser Diodes
  • Laser Spectroscopy
  • Lasers
  • Modulation
  • Modulators
  • Spectra
  • Spectroscopy
  • Standards

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Economics
  • Optical Physics and Photonics.
  • Quantum Dot Semiconductor Device Photonics and Graphene Optoelectronic Materials and THz Physics.

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy