Frequency stabilized laser source, includes laser beam passing through chemical absorption cell and subject to modulation to enable precise frequency control

摘要

A solid laser (10) is optically pumped to enable the emission of a first laser beam (2) of frequency, f1. The resulting beam passes through a chemical absorption cell (7) subject to an amplitude modulated magnetic field. The modulation is used in a control system, in order to enable accurate control of the operating frequency of the laser, such that it may be used as a frequency reference. The laser source comprises a solid laser (10) which is optically pumped to enable the emission of a first laser beam (2) of frequency, f1. The beam, or a further beam (4b) derived from it, passes through a chemical absorption cell (7) containing an absorption element. This leads to saturation of a chemical transition within the chemical absorption element. A control is designed to control the frequency (f1) of the first laser beam and set it on the saturated transition (T) of the chemical absorption element, by means of a synchronous detection based on a modulation of the transition (T). The control system comprises a solenoid (90) which surrounds the absorption cell (7). This solenoid is supplied in order to create an amplitude modulated field in the cell.