Frequency-stabilized seed laser system for dial applications around 0.94 (mu)m

Absolute frequency stabilization of an extended-cavity diode laser at 0.94 (mu)m is reported. The diode laser was frequency locked against rovibrational absorption lines of water vapour by using the frequency modulation spectroscopy technique. The stabilized oscillator shows a short-term frequency stability level of ~40 kHz for integration times of 1 s and a long-term frequency drift lower than 10 MHz for observation times longer than 10^3 s. The frequency-stabilized oscillator system is mounted on a compact breadboard (75 cm×50 cm) and constitutes the seed laser system for the injection of a highenergy DIAL laser transmitter operating in the 0.94-(mu)m spectral region.