A highly integrated single-mode 1064 nm laser with 8.5 kHz linewidth for dual-wavelength active optical clock

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Laser Physics
• Quantum Optics

Background:

• Developing stable, narrow-linewidth lasers is crucial for precision measurement applications.
• Integrated laser systems offer advantages in compactness and robustness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To realize a highly integrated, single-mode, narrow-linewidth Nd:YAG laser at 1064 nm.
• To investigate the laser's performance characteristics, including linewidth and output power.
• To prepare the laser for frequency stabilization and application in an optical clock.

Main Methods:

• Utilized an integrated invar cavity for a Nd:YAG laser.
• Employed end-pumping with an 808.6 nm diode laser.
• Achieved narrow linewidth measurement via beating between two identical laser systems.
• Investigated resonant wavelength shift with crystal temperature.

Main Results:

• Realized a highly integrated, single-mode Nd:YAG 1064 nm laser.
• Achieved a most probable linewidth of 8.5 kHz.
• Obtained a maximum output power of 350 mW.
• Observed continuous resonant wavelength drift with crystal temperature.

Conclusions:

• The developed Nd:YAG laser demonstrates excellent performance in terms of linewidth and output power.
• The integrated design and achieved stability make it a promising candidate for advanced optical clock applications.
• Frequency stabilization using the Pound-Drever-Hall technique is planned for locking a dual-wavelength optical clock.