Ultrasensitive High Resolution Laser Spectroscopy and Its Application to Optical Frequency Standards

Jun Ye, Long-Sheng Ma, John L. Hall

Abstract:	Advanced laser stabilization techniques now permit one to lock laser frequencies onto line centers of natural atomic/molecular resonances with unprecedented precision and accuracy, leading to improved visible optical frequency standards. A novel approach of cavity-enhanced frequency modulation spectroscopy is demonstrated to enjoy a record high sensitivity (6x10^-13 integrated absorption), working with a rich spectrum of weak molecular overtone transitions. The resultant high signal-to-noise ratio allows a Nd:YAG laser to be stabilized on the overtone transition at the level of 1x10^-14 in 800 seconds. For the work of coherent optical frequency connection, we present our recent development of an optical frequency comb generator with a 3 terahertz span.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 28th Annual Precise Time and Time Interval Systems and Applications Meeting December 3 - 5, 1996 Hyatt Regency Reston Town Center Reston, Virginia
Pages:	289 - 304
Cite this article:	Ye, Jun, Ma, Long-Sheng, Hall, John L., "Ultrasensitive High Resolution Laser Spectroscopy and Its Application to Optical Frequency Standards," Proceedings of the 28th Annual Precise Time and Time Interval Systems and Applications Meeting, Reston, Virginia, December 1996, pp. 289-304.
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