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Laser stabilization to neutral Yb in a discharge with polarization-enhanced frequency modulation spectroscopy
Valdis Blūms1, Jordan Scarabel1, Kenji Shimizu1
1Centre for Quantum Dynamics, Griffith University, Brisbane, Queensland 4111, Australia.
The Review of Scientific Instruments
|December 31, 2020
Summary
We improved long-term stability for isotope selective optical excitation of Ytterbium (Yb) atoms by an order of magnitude using polarization-enhanced absorption spectroscopy, crucial for quantum information and metrology.
Area of Science:
- Atomic Physics
- Quantum Information Science
- Spectroscopy
Background:
- Isotope selective optical excitation is vital for neutral atom experiments, metrology, and trapped ion research, including quantum information processing.
- Frequency stabilization of lasers is critical for precise atomic manipulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To enhance the long-term stability of frequency stabilization for a laser system used in isotope selective photoionization of neutral Ytterbium (Yb) atoms.
- To demonstrate the effectiveness of polarization-enhanced absorption spectroscopy for Yb isotope measurements.
Main Methods:
- Utilized polarization-enhanced absorption spectroscopy to frequency stabilize a 398.9 nm tunable external cavity laser diode.
- Employed a see-through configuration ytterbium hollow-cathode discharge lamp for measurements.
- Implemented Doppler-free dichroic polarization spectroscopy with a retro-reflected laser beam and balanced detection.
- Recovered the spectroscopy signal using lock-in detection of frequency modulation.
Main Results:
- Achieved an order of magnitude improvement in long-term stability compared to standard polarization spectroscopy.
- Successfully measured isotope-resolved dispersive features from Yb transitions.
- Demonstrated a robust method for frequency stabilization of lasers for atomic manipulation.
Conclusions:
- Polarization-enhanced absorption spectroscopy offers superior long-term stability for laser frequency stabilization in Yb isotope applications.
- This technique is highly effective for isotope-selective photoionization and relevant for quantum technologies.
- The developed method advances precision measurements in atomic physics.
