An ultra-stable optical frequency reference for space applications

Author

Schuldt, Thilo ; Keetman, A. ; Doringshoff, Klaus ; Reggentin, Matthias ; Kovalchuk, Evgeny ; Nagel, Michael ; Gohlke, M. ; Johann, Ulrich ; Weise, Dennis ; Peters, Achim ; Braxmaier, Claus

Author_Institution

Inst. for Opt. Syst., Univ. of Appl. Sci. Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany

fYear

2012

fDate

23-27 April 2012

Firstpage

554

Lastpage

558

Abstract

A variety of future space missions require ultra-stable optical frequency references. Setups based on Doppler-free spectroscopy of molecular iodine offer frequency stabilities in the 10^-15 domain at longer integration times and have the potential to be realized space compatible on a relatively short time scale. We present a compact optical frequency reference using modulation-transfer spectroscopy of molecular iodine near 532 nm. Using a specific assembly-integration technology, this setup takes into account space mission related criteria such as compactness, robustness, MAIVT and environmental influences. With this setup, a frequency stability of 3 · 10^-15 at integration times between 100 s and 10.000 s was demonstrated in a first measurement.

Keywords

aerospace instrumentation; frequency standards; iodine; laser frequency stability; modulation spectroscopy; optical modulation; Doppler free spectroscopy; assembly integration technology; frequency stability; modulation transfer spectroscopy; molecular iodine; space mission; time 100 s to 10.000 s; ultrastable optical frequency reference;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

European Frequency and Time Forum (EFTF), 2012

Conference_Location

Gothenburg

Print_ISBN

978-1-4673-1924-9

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/EFTF.2012.6502441

Filename

6502441