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A Faraday laser lasing on Rb 1529 nm transition
Pengyuan Chang1, Huanfa Peng1, Shengnan Zhang1
1State Key Laboratory of Advanced Optical Communication System and Network, Institute of Quantum Electronics, School of Electronics Engineering and Computer Science, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.
Scientific Reports
|August 23, 2017
Summary
We developed a stable, low-cost Faraday laser at 1529 nm using a novel optical filter. This system simplifies laser preparation and offers broad applications in metrology and optical communications.
Area of Science:
- Atomic physics
- Laser technology
- Optical engineering
Background:
- Frequency stabilization of lasers is crucial for metrology and optical communications.
- Traditional methods often require complex setups and expensive pump lasers.
- Rubidium (Rb) transitions offer potential for compact and stable laser sources.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and characterize a cost-effective Faraday laser operating directly on the Rb 1529 nm transition.
- To demonstrate a simplified laser preparation method without a pre-stabilized pump laser.
- To evaluate the stability, spectral linewidth, and operational range of the developed Faraday laser.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a performance-improved electrodeless discharge lamp-based excited-state Faraday anomalous dispersion optical filter (LESFADOF).
- Directly lasing on the Rb (5P3/2-4D5/2) transition at 1529 nm.
- Characterized laser performance across varying laser diode currents and temperatures, and assessed long-term frequency stability.
Main Results:
- Achieved stable laser operation from 85 mA to 171 mA laser diode current and 11°C to 32°C temperature.
- Demonstrated a 24-hour long-term frequency fluctuation within 600 MHz.
- Measured narrow spectral linewidth and low relative intensity noise (RIN).
Conclusions:
- The developed Faraday laser offers high stability, narrow linewidth, and low cost.
- The LESFADOF approach simplifies Rb atom excitation, eliminating the need for a stabilized pump laser.
- This technology is suitable for metrology, microwave photonics, and optical communication systems, with potential for broader wavelength selection in atomic transition lasers.
