Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 024027 |
| Journal | Physical review applied |
| Volume | 7 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| Publication status | Published - 24 Feb 2017 |
Abstract
Low-frequency high-precision laser interferometry is subject to excess laser-frequency-noise coupling via arm-length differences which is commonly mitigated by locking the frequency to a stable reference system. This approach is crucial to achieve picometer-level sensitivities in the 0.1-mHz to 1-Hz regime, where laser-frequency noise is usually high and couples into the measurement phase via arm-length mismatches in the interferometers. Here we describe the results achieved by frequency stabilizing an external cavity diode laser to a quasimonolithic unequal arm-length Mach-Zehnder interferometer readout at midfringe via balanced detection. We find this stabilization scheme to be an elegant solution combining a minimal number of optical components, no additional laser modulations, and relatively low-frequency-noise levels. The Mach-Zehnder interferometer is designed and constructed to minimize the influence of thermal couplings and to reduce undesired stray light using the optical simulation tool ifocad. We achieve frequency-noise levels below 100 Hz/Hz at 1 Hz and are able to demonstrate the LISA frequency prestabilization requirement of 300 Hz/Hz down to frequencies of 100 mHz by beating the stabilized laser with an iodine-locked reference.
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Physics and Astronomy(all)
- General Physics and Astronomy
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In: Physical review applied, Vol. 7, No. 2, 024027, 24.02.2017.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Laser-Frequency Stabilization via a Quasimonolithic Mach-Zehnder Interferometer with Arms of Unequal Length and Balanced dc Readout
AU - Gerberding, Oliver
AU - Isleif, Katharina Sophie
AU - Mehmet, Moritz
AU - Danzmann, Karsten
AU - Heinzel, Gerhard
PY - 2017/2/24
Y1 - 2017/2/24
N2 - Low-frequency high-precision laser interferometry is subject to excess laser-frequency-noise coupling via arm-length differences which is commonly mitigated by locking the frequency to a stable reference system. This approach is crucial to achieve picometer-level sensitivities in the 0.1-mHz to 1-Hz regime, where laser-frequency noise is usually high and couples into the measurement phase via arm-length mismatches in the interferometers. Here we describe the results achieved by frequency stabilizing an external cavity diode laser to a quasimonolithic unequal arm-length Mach-Zehnder interferometer readout at midfringe via balanced detection. We find this stabilization scheme to be an elegant solution combining a minimal number of optical components, no additional laser modulations, and relatively low-frequency-noise levels. The Mach-Zehnder interferometer is designed and constructed to minimize the influence of thermal couplings and to reduce undesired stray light using the optical simulation tool ifocad. We achieve frequency-noise levels below 100 Hz/Hz at 1 Hz and are able to demonstrate the LISA frequency prestabilization requirement of 300 Hz/Hz down to frequencies of 100 mHz by beating the stabilized laser with an iodine-locked reference.
AB - Low-frequency high-precision laser interferometry is subject to excess laser-frequency-noise coupling via arm-length differences which is commonly mitigated by locking the frequency to a stable reference system. This approach is crucial to achieve picometer-level sensitivities in the 0.1-mHz to 1-Hz regime, where laser-frequency noise is usually high and couples into the measurement phase via arm-length mismatches in the interferometers. Here we describe the results achieved by frequency stabilizing an external cavity diode laser to a quasimonolithic unequal arm-length Mach-Zehnder interferometer readout at midfringe via balanced detection. We find this stabilization scheme to be an elegant solution combining a minimal number of optical components, no additional laser modulations, and relatively low-frequency-noise levels. The Mach-Zehnder interferometer is designed and constructed to minimize the influence of thermal couplings and to reduce undesired stray light using the optical simulation tool ifocad. We achieve frequency-noise levels below 100 Hz/Hz at 1 Hz and are able to demonstrate the LISA frequency prestabilization requirement of 300 Hz/Hz down to frequencies of 100 mHz by beating the stabilized laser with an iodine-locked reference.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85014635067&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1103/PhysRevApplied.7.024027
DO - 10.1103/PhysRevApplied.7.024027
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85014635067
VL - 7
JO - Physical review applied
JF - Physical review applied
SN - 2331-7019
IS - 2
M1 - 024027
ER -