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A simple laser locking system based on a field-programmable gate array
N B Jørgensen1, D Birkmose1, K Trelborg1
1Department of Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 120, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.
The Review of Scientific Instruments
|August 1, 2016
Summary
We developed a simple, user-friendly digital laser frequency stabilization system using a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). This FPGA-based system offers precise laser locking for scientific applications like atom trapping.
Area of Science:
- Atomic, Molecular & Optical Physics
- Laser Physics & Photonics
- Control Systems Engineering
Background:
- Laser frequency stabilization is vital for precision scientific and industrial tasks.
- Digital electronics, particularly field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), are increasingly replacing analog systems for laser stabilization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a hardware-simplified, user-friendly digital laser frequency stabilization system.
- To provide a cost-effective and efficient alternative to commercial and existing custom-built solutions.
Main Methods:
- Implemented frequency modulation, lock-in detection, and a proportional-integral-derivative controller on an FPGA.
- Minimized additional electronic components for a streamlined design.
- Integrated a host-computer interface for comprehensive remote control.
Main Results:
- Achieved a laser linewidth of 0.7 ± 0.1 MHz.
- Demonstrated a fast settling time of 10 ms.
- Verified performance comparable to existing laser systems used in atom trapping and cooling.
Conclusions:
- The developed FPGA-based system offers a simple, efficient, and user-friendly solution for laser frequency stabilization.
- The system's performance meets the demanding requirements of advanced applications such as atom trapping and cooling.
- This digital approach represents a significant advancement over traditional analog stabilization methods.
