Laser frequency stabilization by magnetically assisted rotation spectroscopy

We present a method of Doppler-free laser frequency stabilization based on magnetically assisted rotation spectroscopy (MARS) which combines the Doppler-free velocity-selective optical pumping (VSOP) and magnetic rotation spectroscopy. The stabilization is demonstrated for the atomic rubidium transi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Optics communications 2011-03, Vol.284 (5), p.1247-1253
Main Authors: Krzemień, Leszek, Brzozowski, Krzysztof, Noga, Andrzej, Witkowski, Marcin, Zachorowski, Jerzy, Zawada, Michał, Gawlik, Wojciech
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Frequency stabilization
Lasers
Magnetic fields
Mars
Modulation
Optical pumping
Rubidium
Spectroscopy
Stabilization
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Summary:We present a method of Doppler-free laser frequency stabilization based on magnetically assisted rotation spectroscopy (MARS) which combines the Doppler-free velocity-selective optical pumping (VSOP) and magnetic rotation spectroscopy. The stabilization is demonstrated for the atomic rubidium transitions at 780nm. The proposed method is largely independent of stray magnetic fields and does not require any modulation of the laser frequency. Moreover, the discussed method allows one to choose between locking the laser exactly to the line center, or with a magnetically-controlled shift to an arbitrary frequency detuned by up to several natural linewidths. This feature is useful in many situations, e.g. for laser cooling experiments. In addition to presenting the principle of the method, its theoretical background and peculiarities inherent to the repopulation VSOP are discussed. ► Magnetically assisted rotation allows Doppler-free laser frequency stabilization. ► No frequency modulation is needed yet the method is little sensitive to stray fields. ► Frequency can be locked to line centers or with offset of several linewidths. ► Theory of the effect reveals competition between re- and depopulation mechanisms.
ISSN:0030-4018
1873-0310
DOI:10.1016/j.optcom.2010.11.024