A longitudinally pumped, widely tunable, solid-state Yb:KYF(4) laser was developed with special design for applications to optical frequency metrology and absolute frequency stabilization. The KYF(4) crystalline host, combined with efficient diode pumping, allows for wide wavelength tunability at about 1.03 mu m in a single transverse mode. Two different laser cavity designs were experimentally investigated. The combined use of an intracavity birefringent filter and uncoated glass etalons provides single-frequency output power at the 100-mW level in a folded-cavity resonator. A second hemispherical linear cavity was also developed with one or two coated intracavity etalons for single-frequency operation. The novel laser sources were thoroughly characterized in terms of output power and beam quality, amplitude noise, wavelength tunability, and single-axial-mode operation. High-quality TEM(oo) single-frequency laser radiation opens the way to the development of a new optical frequency standard based on the 12 molecule at 0.5-mu m wavelength.
Characterization of single-frequency Yb : KYF(4) lasers at 1.03 mu m for optical frequency metrology
TONCELLI, ALESSANDRA;TONELLI, MAURO;
2008-01-01
Abstract
A longitudinally pumped, widely tunable, solid-state Yb:KYF(4) laser was developed with special design for applications to optical frequency metrology and absolute frequency stabilization. The KYF(4) crystalline host, combined with efficient diode pumping, allows for wide wavelength tunability at about 1.03 mu m in a single transverse mode. Two different laser cavity designs were experimentally investigated. The combined use of an intracavity birefringent filter and uncoated glass etalons provides single-frequency output power at the 100-mW level in a folded-cavity resonator. A second hemispherical linear cavity was also developed with one or two coated intracavity etalons for single-frequency operation. The novel laser sources were thoroughly characterized in terms of output power and beam quality, amplitude noise, wavelength tunability, and single-axial-mode operation. High-quality TEM(oo) single-frequency laser radiation opens the way to the development of a new optical frequency standard based on the 12 molecule at 0.5-mu m wavelength.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
