Single-Atomic-Ensemble Dual-Wavelength Optical Standard

TL;DR

This paper presents a dual-wavelength optical frequency standard using a single rubidium atomic ensemble, achieving simultaneous stabilization of two lasers with very low frequency instability, and introduces a theoretical model for the dual-wavelength spectroscopy.

Contribution

It introduces a novel dual-wavelength stabilization method using DOTMTS in a single atomic ensemble, with potential for multiwavelength standards.

Findings

Lasers stabilized with low 10^(-14) frequency instability at 1 s

Simultaneous stabilization on a single vapor cell

Theoretical model based on V type atomic level structure

Abstract

We demonstrate a dual wavelength optical frequency standard based on the dual optical transition modulation transfer spectroscopy (DOTMTS) between different quantum transitions of the rubidium D1 (795 nm) and D2 (780 nm) lines. In a single rubidium atomic ensemble, modulation frequency sidebands from the 780 nm pump beam are simultaneously transferred to both the 780 nm and 795 nm probe lasers. The DOTMTS enables the simultaneous stabilization of 780 nm and 795 nm lasers on a single vapor cell. Both lasers exhibit a frequency instability in the low 10 ^(-14) range at 1 s of averaging, as estimated from the residual error signal. A theoretical model is developed based on the V type atomic level structure to illustrate the dual-wavelength spectroscopy. This approach can be extended to develop a multiwavelength optical frequency standard within a single atomic ensemble, broadening its applicability in fields such as precision metrology, wavelength standards, optical networks, and beyond.