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Space interferometry application of laser frequency stabilization with molecular iodine
Volker Leonhardt1, Jordan B Camp
1Universities Space Research association and NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD 20771, USA. volker@milkyway.gsfc.nasa.gov
Applied Optics
|June 9, 2006
Summary
A stable laser system is crucial for space missions like LISA. Researchers developed an iodine-stabilized laser with excellent frequency stability, achieving an Allan standard deviation of 10(-14) over 100 seconds.
Area of Science:
- Physics
- Astronomy
- Optical Engineering
Background:
- Space interferometry missions, such as the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) gravitational wave detector, necessitate laser systems with exceptional long-term frequency stability.
- A 1064 nm nonplanar ring oscillator (NPRO) laser, when stabilized to a molecular iodine transition, offers a robust solution for achieving high-frequency stability and an absolute reference frequency.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the noise performance of a nonplanar ring oscillator (NPRO) laser stabilized with molecular iodine.
- To investigate simplified optical configurations and the radiation hardness of frequency-doubling crystals for space applications.
Main Methods:
- Frequency modulation spectroscopy was employed to assess the noise characteristics of the iodine-stabilized NPRO laser.
- Evaluated Allan standard deviation to quantify frequency stability over time.
Main Results:
- The iodine-stabilized NPRO laser demonstrated a high level of frequency stability, achieving an Allan standard deviation of 10(-14) over a 100-second interval.
- Investigated simplified optical designs and confirmed the radiation hardness of relevant frequency-doubling crystals.
Conclusions:
- The molecular iodine-stabilized NPRO laser meets the stringent frequency stability requirements for planned space interferometry missions.
- The laser system exhibits low sensitivity to environmental fluctuations (temperature, alignment) and offers frequency tunability, making it highly suitable for space deployment.