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arXiv · 1106.0520

Frequency-stabilization to 6x10^-16 via spectral-hole burning

Michael J. Thorpe·Lars Rippe·Tara M. Fortier·Matthew S. Kirchner·Till Rosenband
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Abstract

We demonstrate two-stage laser stabilization based on a combination of Fabry- Perot and spectral-hole burning techniques. The laser is first pre-stabilized by the Fabry-Perot cavity to a fractional-frequency stability of sigma_y(tau) < 10^-13. A pattern of spectral holes written in the absorption spectrum of Eu3+:Y2SiO5 serves to further stabilize the laser to sigma_y(tau) = 6x10^-16 for 2 s < tau < 8 s. Measurements characterizing the frequency sensitivity of Eu3+:Y2SiO5 spectral holes to environmental perturbations suggest that they can be more frequency stable than Fabry-Perot cavities.

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Michael J. Thorpe, Lars Rippe, Tara M. Fortier, Matthew S. Kirchner, Till Rosenband. 2011-06-02. Frequency-stabilization to 6x10^-16 via spectral-hole burning. https://doi.org/10.1038/nphoton.2011.215

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