Frequency measurements on optically narrowed Rb-stabilised laser diodes at 780 nm and 795 nm

Laser diodes, optically narrowed using the resonant optical feedback technique, have been frequency stabilized to hyperfine transitions of the two Rb D lines at 780 nm and 795 nm. A frequency stability of 1.5 kHz of the beat is observed between two similar lasers for an averaging time of 10s, with a reproducibility of 44kHz (one standard deviation) for strong isolated components. Components f and f-prime at 780 nm have poor reproducibility, and did not fit the overall pattern of calculated frequencies. Values for the hyperfine constants and isotope shifts have been determined which can be used to calculate the offset between any hyperfine component and the measured frequencies of d/f and c-prime at 780 nm and 795 nm. It is concluded that the measurements of the Rb hyperfine components and the intervals between closely spaced components represent the most complete characterization to date of Rb frequency stabilized laser diodes.