Autonomous frequency stabilization of two extended cavity diode lasers at the potassium wavelength on a sounding rocket

TL;DR

This paper presents the development and successful autonomous frequency stabilization of two extended cavity diode lasers at 766.7 nm for space-based atomic physics experiments, demonstrated during a sounding rocket flight.

Contribution

It introduces a compact, stable, and autonomous ECDL system with innovative frequency stabilization techniques suitable for space applications.

Findings

Successful flight-proven laser stabilization in space environment

Implementation of hot redundancy mechanisms for reliability

Autonomous control system for laser operation during flight

Abstract

We have developed, assembled, and flight-proven a stable, compact, and autonomous extended cavity diode laser (ECDL) system designed for atomic physics experiments in space. To that end, two micro-integrated ECDLs at 766.7 nm were frequency stabilized during a sounding rocket flight by means of frequency modulation spectroscopy (FMS) of 39^K and offset locking techniques based on the beat note of the two ECDLs. The frequency stabilization as well as additional hard- and software to test hot redundancy mechanisms were implemented as part of a state-machine, which controlled the experiment completely autonomously throughout the entire flight mission.