Laser frequency stabilization using a commercial wavelength meter

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a laser frequency stabilization method using a commercial wavelength meter, achieving high stability suitable for atomic cooling and trapping applications.

Contribution

It introduces a novel stabilization scheme with a commercial wavelength meter for laser frequency control in atomic physics experiments.

Findings

Achieved an absolute Allan deviation below 10^-9 over 10 hours.

Demonstrated stable laser cooling and trapping of strontium atoms.

Multi-channel operation shows fluctuations linked to residual frequency excursions.

Abstract

We present the characterization of a laser frequency stabilization scheme using a state-of-the-art wavelength meter based on solid Fizeau interferometers. For a frequency-doubled Ti-sapphire laser operated at 461 nm, an absolute Allan deviation below $10^{-9}$ with a standard deviation of $1$ MHz over 10\,h is achieved. Using this laser for cooling and trapping of strontium atoms, the wavemeter scheme provides excellent stability in single-channel operation. Multi-channel operation with a multimode fiber switch results in fluctuations of the atomic fluorescence correlated to residual frequency excursions of the laser. The wavemeter-based frequency stabilization scheme can be applied to a wide range of atoms and molecules for laser spectroscopy, cooling and trapping.