Calibrating an interferometric laser frequency stabilization to MHz precision

TL;DR

This paper presents a calibration method that significantly improves the precision of interferometric laser frequency stabilization using a frequency comb, achieving sub-6 MHz accuracy across a broad wavelength range.

Contribution

A novel calibration procedure that enhances interferometric laser frequency stabilization precision by leveraging frequency comb measurements to correct systematic errors.

Findings

Frequency deviation less than 5.7 MHz (rms 1.6 MHz) across 750-795 nm

Demonstrated wide tuning of a stabilized laser at this high precision

Calibration reduces systematic errors significantly

Abstract

We report on a calibration procedure that enhances the precision of an interferometer based frequency stabilization by several orders of magnitude. For this purpose the frequency deviations of the stabilization are measured precisely by means of a frequency comb. This allows to implement several calibration steps that compensate different systematic errors. The resulting frequency deviation is shown to be less than $5.7 $MHz (rms $1.6 $MHz) in the whole wavelength interval $750 - 795 $nm. Wide tuning of a stabilized laser at this exceptional precision is demonstrated.