Abstract

Lasers with exceptional frequency stability over timescales of seconds are required for high resolution spectroscopy, metrology and as flywheel oscillators for long-term stable systems. For good long-term stability, lasers are commonly locked to spectroscopic lines, while in the short-term, optical resonators of either a ring or Fabry-Perot configuration are used. Signal-noise problems are inherent in using spectroscopic lines due to difficulties in populating appropriate energy levels. It is difficult to achieve the medium term mechanical stability required of optical cavity resonators. We have constructed two types of high finesse cryogenic resonators to address these problems of mechanical stability.

© 1996 Optical Society of America