Control and active stabilization of the linewidth of an ECDL

The linewidth of a polarization-locked external cavity diode laser (ECDL) is explored employing heterodyne as well as self-heterodyne measurements. We use a model capable of providing the individual contributions of white, pink and red noise to the overall linewidth to analyze the measured beat spec...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Applied physics. B, Lasers and optics Lasers and optics, 2012-08, Vol.108 (2), p.249-253
Main Authors: Führer, T., Walther, T.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Engineering
Lasers
Optical Devices
Optics
Photonics
Physical Chemistry
Physics
Physics and Astronomy
Quantum Optics
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Summary:The linewidth of a polarization-locked external cavity diode laser (ECDL) is explored employing heterodyne as well as self-heterodyne measurements. We use a model capable of providing the individual contributions of white, pink and red noise to the overall linewidth to analyze the measured beat spectra. These spectra are obtained while tuning the external cavity as well as a function of pump current and feedback level. By virtue of our locking technique, we find that the linewidth can be adjusted and minimized by simply altering the setpoint of the closed-loop control. This control of the linewidth is applicable for any ECDL using polarization locking. For our particular ECDL, we are able to tune the overall linewidth from ≈8 kHz to 20 kHz. Moreover, we achieve a lower white noise level of the ECDL compared to a free running one.
ISSN:0946-2171
1432-0649
DOI:10.1007/s00340-012-4999-4