Simple and compact diode laser system stabilized to Doppler-broadened iodine lines at 633  nm

Area of Science:

• Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics
• Metrology and Measurement Science
• Laser Physics and Technology

Background:

• Accurate frequency standards are essential for metrology and fundamental science.
• Iodine-stabilization offers a robust method for laser frequency control.
• Compact and accessible laser systems are needed for broader scientific applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a compact, fiber-coupled iodine-stabilized laser system at 633 nm.
• To evaluate its frequency stability against primary frequency standards.
• To model the laser's performance across different iodine absorption lines.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a distributed-feedback laser diode for 633 nm emission.
• Integrated the laser into a compact system with a footprint of 27x15 cm².
• Frequency stabilization achieved using iodine absorption lines.
• Performance evaluated using an optical frequency comb and comparison to Cesium clocks.

Main Results:

• Achieved 5 mW of frequency-stabilized light output from a single-mode fiber.
• Demonstrated a fractional frequency instability below 10⁻¹⁰ for averaging times > 10 s.
• Investigated performance on multiple iodine lines and developed a predictive model.

Conclusions:

• The compact iodine-stabilized laser system provides high-performance frequency stabilization.
• The system's stability is suitable for applications requiring precise frequency references.
• The developed model aids in understanding and optimizing performance on various iodine lines.