Spectrally Narrow, Long-Term Stable Optical Frequency Reference Based on a Eu3+∶Y2SiO5 Crystal at Cryogenic Temperature
Abstract
Using an ultrastable continuous-wave laser at 580 nm we performed spectral hole burning of Eu3+∶Y2SiO5 at a very high spectral resolution. The essential parameters determining the usefulness as a macroscopic frequency reference, linewidth, temperature sensitivity, and long-term stability, were characterized using a H-maser stabilized frequency comb. Spectral holes with a linewidth as low as 6 kHz were observed and the upper limit of the drift of the hole frequency was determined to be 5±3mHz/s. We discuss the necessary requirements for achieving ultrahigh stability in laser frequency stabilization to these spectral holes.
- Publication:
-
Physical Review Letters
- Pub Date:
- November 2011
- DOI:
- 10.1103/PhysRevLett.107.223202
- arXiv:
- arXiv:1107.3764
- Bibcode:
- 2011PhRvL.107v3202C
- Keywords:
-
- 42.62.Fi;
- 42.62.Eh;
- 78.47.nd;
- Laser spectroscopy;
- Metrological applications;
- optical frequency synthesizers for precision spectroscopy;
- Hole burning spectroscopy;
- Physics - Optics;
- Physics - Atomic Physics
- E-Print:
- 4 pages, 4 figures