Doppler jitter stabilization of a CO2 laser
Doppler jitter stabilization of carbon dioxide laser without internal modulation to inverted Lamb dip in extracavity absorption cell
Goldberg, M. W.↗
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Progress toward ultra-stable lasers for use in space
This is a summary of a research project that has come to be known as SUNLITE, initially standing for Stanford University - NASA laser in space technology experiment. It involves scientists from the NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC), Stanford University, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and the Joint Institute for Laboratory Astrophysics (JILA), and a growing number of other institutions. The long range objective of the SUNLITE effort is to examine the fundamental linewidth and frequency stability limits of an actively stabilized laser oscillator in the microgravity and vibration-free environment of space. The ground-based SUNLITE activities supporting that objective will develop a space-qualified, self-contained and completely automated terahertz oscillator stabilized to a linewidth of less than 3 Hz, along with a measurement system capable of determining laser linewidth to one part in 10(exp 16). The purpose of this paper is to discuss the critical technologies needed to place stabilized lasers in space and to describe the progress made by the SUNLITE project to develop these technologies.
Buoncristiani, A. M.↗
Injection seeding of a Q-switched alexandrite laser: Study of frequency stabilization
AlGaAs diode lasers were used to injection seed a pulsed Q-switched alexandrite laser which produces a narrowband of radiation. Injection seeding is a method for achieving linewidths of less than 500 mega-Hz in the output of the broadband, tunable solid state laser. When the laser was set at a current of 59.8 milli-A and a temperature of 14.04 C, the wavelength was 767.6 nano-m. The Q-switched alexandrite laser was injection seeded and frequency stabilization was studied. The linewidth requirement was met, but the stability requirement was not due to drifting in the feedback voltage. Improvements on injection seeding should focus on increasing the feedback voltage to the laser diode, filtering the laser diode by using temperature controlled narrowband filters, and the use of diamond (SiC) grating placed inside the alexandrite laser's resonator cavity.
Brown, Lamarr A.↗
A study of the frequency and stability characteristics of a CO sub 2 laser
Frequency stability of carbon dioxide laser design for deep space communication applications
Graham, B. J.↗
A simple low loss technique for frequency locking lasers
We report the results of a novel method for frequency stabilizing laser diodes based on the resonant Faraday effects. A Faraday cell with crossed Brewster windows comprises the intracavity frequency selective element. In this arrangement a laser pull-in range of 4A was measured and the laser operated at a single frequency with a linewidth less than 6 Mhz.
Valdez, E. C.↗
System and method for tuning adjusting the central frequency of a laser while maintaining frequency stabilization to an external reference
A method and system for stabilizing a laser to a frequency reference with an adjustable offset. The method locks a sideband signal generated by passing an incoming laser beam through the phase modulator to a frequency reference, and adjusts a carrier frequency relative to the locked sideband signal by changing a phase modulation frequency input to the phase modulator. The sideband signal can be a single sideband (SSB), dual sideband (DSB), or an electronic sideband (ESB) signal. Two separate electro-optic modulators can produce the DSB signal. The two electro-optic modulators can be a broadband modulator and a resonant modulator. With a DSB signal, the method can introduce two sinusoidal phase modulations at the phase modulator. With ESB signals, the method can further drive the optical phase modulator with an electrical signal with nominal frequency OMEGA(sub 1) that is phase modulated at a frequency OMEGA(sub 2)
Livas, Jeffrey↗
Stabilized Zeeman split laser
The development of a stablized Zeeman split laser for use in a polarization profilometer is discussed. A Hewlett-Packard laser was modified to stabilize the Zeeman split beat frequency thereby increasing the phase measurement accuracy from the Hewlett-Packard 3 degrees to an accuracy of .01 degrees. The addition of a two layered inductive winding converts the laser to a current controlled oscillator whose frequency is linearly related to coil current. This linear relationship between coil current and laser frequency permits phase locking the laser frequency to a stable crystal controlled reference frequency. The stability of the system is examined and the equipment operation procedures are outlined.
Source record↗
Integrated Formation Optical Communication and Estimation System
An architecture has been designed that integrates formation estimation methodologies, precision formation sensing, and high-bandwidth formation communication into a robust, strap-on system that meets knowledge and communication requirements for the majority of planned, precision formation missions. Specifically, the integrated system supports (a) sub-millimeter metrology, (b) multiple greater than 10 Mbps communication channels over a large, 10 deg field-of-view (FOV), and (c) generalized formation estimation methodologies. The sensing sub-system consists of several absolute, metrology gauges with up to 0.1 mm precision that use amplitude-modulated lasers and a LISA-heritage phase meter. Since amplitude modulation is used, inexpensive and robust diode lasers may be used instead of complex, frequency-stabilized lasers such as for nanometer-level metrology. The metrology subsystem laser transceivers consist of a laser diode, collecting optics, and an avalanche photo diode (APD) for detecting incoming laser signals. The APD is necessary since received power is small due to the large (for optical applications) FOV. The phase meter determines the phase of the incoming amplitude modulations as measured by the APD. This phase is equivalent to time-of-flight and, therefore, distance. By placing three laser transceivers on each spacecraft, 18 clock-offset-corrupted distances are calculated. These measurements are communicated and averaged to obtain nine correct distances between the transceivers. From these correct distances, the range and bearing between spacecraft and their relative attitude are determined. Next, communication is integrated on the laser carrier through spectral separation. Metrology amplitude modulations are limited to the 45-50 MHz band, leaving 0-45 MHz for communication. Through careful design of coding scheme, error correction, and filters, six independent 10 Mbps receive channels are possible. Hence, a spacecraft can simultaneously broadcast at 10 Mbps and listen to six other spacecraft. The integrated sensing and communication architecture has been developed, as have formation estimation methodologies that allow the sensing topology to reconfigure as spacecraft maneuver. A bench-top implementation of the integrated sensing and communication architecture is in progress. The final, multiple sensing/communication systems will be tied together via formation estimation algorithms that are also undergoing further development.
Scharf, Daniel↗
Laser Cooled Atomic Clocks in Space
The goals of the Glovebox Laser-cooled Atomic Clock Experiment (GLACE) are: (1) first utilization of tunable, frequency-stabilized lasers in space, (2) demonstrate laser cooling and trapping in microgravity, (3) demonstrate longest 'perturbation-free' interaction time for a precision measurement on neutral atoms, (4) Resolve Ramsey fringes 2-10 times narrower than achievable on Earth. The approach taken is: the use of COTS components, and the utilization of prototype hardware from LCAP flight definition experiments. The launch date is scheduled for Oct. 2002. The Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG) specifications are reviewed, and a picture of the MSG is shown.
Thompson, R. J.↗
Frequency stabilization and noise suppression in the argon FM laser.
Frequency stabilization and noise suppression in argon FM laser
French, J. M.↗
Laser System for Precise, Unambiguous Range Measurements
The Modulation Sideband Technology for Absolute Range (MSTAR) architecture is the basis of design of a proposed laser-based heterodyne interferometer that could measure a range (distance) as great as 100 km with a precision and resolution of the order of 1 nm. Simple optical interferometers can measure changes in range with nanometer resolution, but cannot measure range itself because interference is subject to the well-known integer-multiple-of-2 -radians phase ambiguity, which amounts to a range ambiguity of the order of 1 m at typical laser wavelengths. Existing rangefinders have a resolution of the order of 10 m and are therefore unable to resolve the ambiguity. The proposed MSTAR architecture bridges the gap, enabling nanometer resolution with an ambiguity range that can be extended to arbitrarily large distances. The MSTAR architecture combines the principle of the heterodyne interferometer with the principle of extending the ambiguity range of an interferometer by using light of two wavelengths. The use of two wavelengths for this purpose is well established in optical metrology, radar, and sonar. However, unlike in traditional two-color laser interferometry, light of two wavelengths would not be generated by two lasers. Instead, multiple wavelengths would be generated as sidebands of phase modulation of the light from a single frequency- stabilized laser. The phase modulation would be effected by applying sinusoidal signals of suitable frequencies (typically tens of gigahertz) to high-speed electro-optical phase modulators. Intensity modulation can also be used
Dubovitsky, Serge↗
Development of ultrastable filters and lasers for solar seismology
The Stable Solar Analyzer is a recently developed instrument for the measurement of solar magnetic fields and surface velocities that is being employed at the U.S. National Solar Observatory to study the subsurface convection cells of the sun and the structure of surface and subsurface magnetic fields. The Analyzer is expected to ultimately be flown aboard such spacecraft as the ESA/NASA Solar and Heliospheric Observatory. This instrument is based on a crystalline lithium niobate Fabry-Perot filter that is used in conjunction with a stabilized laser that furnishes an absolute wavelength reference; this laser Fabry-Perot combination has achieved wavelength stabilities of the order of 2 parts in 10 to the 10th, over a six-hour interval.
Rust, D. M.↗
A 100Mbps coherent optical link demonstration using frequency stabilized solid state lasers
The design, implementation, and performance evaluation of a 100Mbps binary phase shift keying (BPSK) coherent optical link using frequency stabilized solid state lasers is described. In this demonstration, the transmitted data is binary phase modulated at 100Mbps using an external resonant cavity phase modulator. At the receiving end, the signal is detected using a balanced heterodyne detector. An auxiliary frequency tracking loop (FTL) is used to help the initial frequency acquisition before handing over to the carrier phase tracking loop. The FTL is implemented using a delay line discriminator, and the detected frequency error is fed back to the local oscillator laser to close the tracking loop. Phase coherent reception is achieved by synchronizing the carrier phase using a Costas tracking loop. The demonstration showed that a high data rate phase coherent optical link can be implemented using frequency stabilized solid state lasers.
Chen, CHIEN-C.↗
An Efficient Single Frequency Ho:YLF Laser for IPDA Lidar Applications
A highly efficient, versatile, single frequency 2-micron pulsed laser can be used in a pulsed Differential Absorption Lidar (DIAL) / Integrated Path Differential Absorption (IPDA) instrument to make precise, high-resolution measurements to investigate sources and sinks of CO2. For a direct detection IPDA lidar, the desired 2 m Ho:YLF laser should generate 30-40 mJ pulses at the repetition rate of 100 to 200 Hz, with short pulse length (<100 ns) and better than 2% wall plug efficiency. A Tm fiber laser in-band pumped Ho:YLF laser has been developed to meet this technical challenge. This Ho:YLF laser is designed in a four mirror ring resonator with bow tie configuration, which helps to obtain high beam quality. It is end-pumped by a 40 W linearly polarized Tm fiber laser at 1.94μm. The resonator length is 1.10 meters with output coupler reflectivity at 45%. The laser crystal size is 3 x 3 x 60 mm (w, h, l) with a doping concentration of 0.5% Holmium. The laser beam and pump beam are mode-matched in the active medium. Thus, the pump and laser beams have the same confocal parameters. Mode-matching is also helpful for operating the laser in a single transverse mode. The laser beam waist is slightly less than 0.5 mm at the center of the laser crystal. Based on quasi-four level modeling, pump absorption and saturation depend on laser intensity. Laser amplification and saturation also depend on the pump intensity in the crystal. The laser is injection seeded to obtain the single frequency required by an IPDA lidar measurement. The seed beam is entered into the resonator through an output coupler. The laser is mounted on a water cooled optical bench for stable and reliable operation. The size of the optical bench is 22.16 x 9.20 x 1.25 inches. It is stiffened so that the laser can be operated in any orientation of the optical bench. This packaged Ho:YLF laser is designed for either mobile trailer or airborne platform operation. The engineering prototype Ho:YLF laser has been fully characterized to demonstrate laser performance. Figure 1 shows the laser output power as a function of pump power at different pulse repetition rates from 100 Hz to 333 Hz. The threshold of the laser is less than 14 W. The slope efficiencies are 28%, 40%, 41% and 43% for pulse repetition rates of 100, 200, 250 and 333 Hz, respectively. Maximum power increases with the pulse repetition rate. Output power of 4.2 W, 6 W, 6.7 W, and 7.7 W is achieved for pulse repetition rates of 100, 200, 250 and 333Hz, respectively. This represents the optical conversion efficiency of 16.7%, 22.4%, 23.7%, and 26.5% at these various pulse repletion rates. It is the most efficient and compact Ho:YLF laser demonstrated in the high pulse energy (>20mJ) and moderate pulse repetition rate (100's Hz) operation range. As shown in Figure 1, the maximum pulse energy at 100 Hz is 42 mJ. This is limited due to optical damage. The laser stability is characterized and found to be very stable. A relative pulse energy standard deviation of 2% was measured. The beam quality of the Ho:YLF was measured by a Spiricon infrared laser beam camera. Figure 2 shows the beam profile image of the laser. Both the X-profile of the beam (horizontal direction) and the Y-profile of the beam (vertical direction) are well fitted by a Gaussian profile. The qualitative beam quality measurement shows excellent beam quality in both axis. The M-square value for the laser beam is measured at 1.06 and 1.09 for the x and y axis respectively.-
Yu, J.↗
Solid state laser systems for space application
Work on the development of an interferometric system for the purpose of absolute length determination commenced in January of this year. Our goal is to develop a system capable of measurements on the order of one meter with an accuracy of 1 part in 10 or greater. A modified Michelson bread board with stabilized laser diode source was assembled. Some preliminary measurements began using the tunable Santek laser in an FM modulation scheme. During this same period a literature search yielded a paper by Suematsu and Takeda which discusses a promising fourier transform technique for real time data analysis. We are in the process of evaluating this technique while we continue to change and upgrade the system configuration.
Kay, Richard B.↗
An LDA (Laser-Doppler Anemometry) investigation of three-dimensional normal shock wave boundary-layer interactions
Nonintrusive measurements were made of a normal shock wave/boundary layer interaction. Two dimensional measurements were made throughout the interaction region while 3-D measurements were made in the vicinity of the shock wave. The measurements were made in the corner of the test section of a continuous supersonic wind tunnel in which a normal shock wave had been stabilized. Laser Doppler Anemometry, surface pressure measurement and flow visualization techniques were employed for two freestream Mach number test cases: 1.6 and 1.3. The former contained separated flow regions and a system of shock waves. The latter was found to be far less complicated. The results define the flow field structure in detail for each case.
Chriss, R. M.↗
Low data rate coherent optical link demonstration using frequency stabilized solid state lasers
A low data rate laboratory heterodyne link demonstration operating at 1.06 micron using frequency stabilized Nd:YAG lasers was implemented. The data was modulated onto the optical carrier at 100 kbps using binary pulse position modulation. Phase coherent reception was achieved by closing the receiver phase tracking loop around the piezo-electric and temperature-tuned local oscillator laser. Initial frequency acquisition was accomplished by linearly scanning the LO frequency over the uncertainty range while a combined frequency and phase tracking loop searches for a lock indicator signal. The link performance was experimentally evaluated and compared to the theoretical predictions.
Chen, CHIEN-C.↗
LISA Instrument Performance
Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) is designed to observe gravitational waves in the frequency band from 10(exp -1) to 10(exp -4) Hz where a rich spectrum of sources is expected. The measurements must be made from space to avoid the large motions of the earth that prevent the current generations (eg. LIGO) from operating at these freq8uencies. The technology and expected performance behind this measurement capability will be reviewed with an emphasis on the interferometric measurement system., including recent laboratory results showing a novel tunable frequency stabilized laser.
Livas, Jeffrey C.↗