Development of a 1.5 micron acetylene stabilised frequency standard and the measurement of its frequency using single Sr/sup +/ standard

We report progress on the development of an optical frequency standard at 1.5 micron referenced to rovibrational transitions in acetylene. This work not only yields a frequency reference of relevance to precision physical measurements, but also addresses the near term need for 100 kHz-1 MHz accuracy in calibration procedures for dense WDM optical communication systems. Absolute frequency measurements of a tuneable diode laser stabilized on the acetylene saturated-absorption lines are being carried out using a link to the accurate NRC single ion reference.