Alternative approach to stable lasers: the optically pumped NH(3) laser

Area of Science:

• Physics
• Laser Spectroscopy
• Quantum Optics

Background:

• Optically pumped lasers offer unique spectral properties.
• Achieving high frequency stability is crucial for precision measurements.
• Ammonia (NH3) lasers operate in the far-infrared region.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the beat-note stability between two free-running optically pumped NH3 lasers.
• To assess the frequency stability of the 12-micrometer NH3 laser.
• To understand the factors influencing laser frequency stability.

Main Methods:

• Utilized two free-running optically pumped NH3 lasers.
• Measured the beat-note frequency between the lasers over a 1-second interval.
• Analyzed the frequency isolation from cavity-mirror motion and pump laser perturbations.

Main Results:

• Observed a beat-note stability of 500 Hz over 1 second.
• Demonstrated that the 12-micrometer laser frequency is strongly isolated from cavity-mirror motion.
• Showed the laser frequency is relatively insensitive to perturbations in the pump lasers.

Conclusions:

• High beat-note stability is achievable with free-running optically pumped NH3 lasers.
• The 12-micrometer NH3 laser exhibits excellent frequency stability, largely independent of mechanical and pump laser fluctuations.
• These results are promising for applications requiring stable far-infrared sources.