Title :
Dither-free absolute frequency locking of a 1.3 mu m DFB laser on /sup 87/Rb
Author :
Boucher, R. ; Breton, M. ; Cyr, N. ; Têtu, M.
Author_Institution :
Dept. de Genie Electr., Laval Univ., Que., Canada
fDate :
4/1/1992 12:00:00 AM
Abstract :
A technique for frequency locking a semiconductor laser in the 1.3 mu m region by observing the absorption in a /sup 87/Rb vapor optically pumped by another frequency-modulated semiconductor laser is presented. This technique offers well-defined strong atomic resonances and does not require frequency dithering of the 1.3 mu m laser to observe the discrimination pattern required for frequency locking. Dither-free absolute frequency locking of a DFB (distributed feedback) laser at 1324 nm was achieved using a pump laser diode operating at 795 nm (D/sub 1/-line). Applications include master oscillator of multiwavelength and coherent communication systems and reference source for an optical frequency synthesizer. Resonances in the 1.55 mu m region are also available through this approach.<>
Keywords :
atomic resonant states; distributed feedback lasers; frequency modulation; laser frequency stability; light absorption; optical communication equipment; optical modulation; optical pumping; rubidium; semiconductor junction lasers; /sup 87/Rb; 1.3 micron; 1324 nm; 795 nm; D/sub 1/-line; DFB laser; IR; absolute frequency locking; coherent communication systems; discrimination pattern; distributed feedback; dither-free frequency locking; frequency-modulated semiconductor laser; light absorption; master oscillator; multiwavelength communications; optical frequency synthesizer; optically pumped; pump laser diode; reference source; strong atomic resonances; vapor; Absorption; Distributed feedback devices; Frequency; Laser excitation; Laser feedback; Optical feedback; Optical pumping; Pump lasers; Resonance; Semiconductor lasers;
Journal_Title :
Photonics Technology Letters, IEEE
